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Maine Men #2
Le boss de Ben
« Pearson, c’est courant comme nom. »
« Ça ne peut pas être lui. »
« Seigneur, ce serait trop cruel. »
Un passé douloureux
Lorsqu’il arrive à son entretien d’embauche, les pires craintes de Ben White sont confirmées. Si cela fait huit ans qu’il a quitté le lycée, il n’a pourtant pas oublié les moqueries de Wade Pearson.
Il reste toutefois une chance pour que Wade ne soit plus le même enfoiré homophobe qu’il a connu. Mais bien sûr.
Sauf que le jeune homme des souvenirs de Ben s’est transformé en véritable étalon ténébreux. Dans une autre vie, Ben l’aurait chevauché sans réserve. Le regard de Wade lui met toujours autant le trac, mais pour des raisons totalement différentes.
Un désir inavoué
À l’instant même où Wade a découvert le CV de Ben, il a su qu’il devait le revoir. Ben est aussi beau que dans son souvenir et il est clair qu’il s’attend à ne pas être choisi à cause de leur passif.
Mais Wade a un plan. Il veut se racheter une conscience pour tout ce qu’il a fait subir à son ancien camarade de classe, même si celui-ci ne saura jamais pourquoi il s’est comporté de la sorte. Toutefois, le voir tous les jours ne fait qu’approfondir les regrets de Wade. Si seulement il avait été plus courageux à l’époque, peut-être que Ben et lui auraient pu construire quelque chose ensemble.
Le moins qu’il puisse faire, c’est de prouver à Ben qu’il a changé. Même s’il n’y a aucune chance pour qu’il obtienne ce qu’il désire vraiment : l’amour de Ben.
« Ça ne peut pas être lui. »
« Seigneur, ce serait trop cruel. »
Un passé douloureux
Lorsqu’il arrive à son entretien d’embauche, les pires craintes de Ben White sont confirmées. Si cela fait huit ans qu’il a quitté le lycée, il n’a pourtant pas oublié les moqueries de Wade Pearson.
Il reste toutefois une chance pour que Wade ne soit plus le même enfoiré homophobe qu’il a connu. Mais bien sûr.
Sauf que le jeune homme des souvenirs de Ben s’est transformé en véritable étalon ténébreux. Dans une autre vie, Ben l’aurait chevauché sans réserve. Le regard de Wade lui met toujours autant le trac, mais pour des raisons totalement différentes.
Un désir inavoué
À l’instant même où Wade a découvert le CV de Ben, il a su qu’il devait le revoir. Ben est aussi beau que dans son souvenir et il est clair qu’il s’attend à ne pas être choisi à cause de leur passif.
Mais Wade a un plan. Il veut se racheter une conscience pour tout ce qu’il a fait subir à son ancien camarade de classe, même si celui-ci ne saura jamais pourquoi il s’est comporté de la sorte. Toutefois, le voir tous les jours ne fait qu’approfondir les regrets de Wade. Si seulement il avait été plus courageux à l’époque, peut-être que Ben et lui auraient pu construire quelque chose ensemble.
Le moins qu’il puisse faire, c’est de prouver à Ben qu’il a changé. Même s’il n’y a aucune chance pour qu’il obtienne ce qu’il désire vraiment : l’amour de Ben.
344 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 12, 2021
206 people are currently reading
461 people want to read
About the author
K.C. Wells
159 books1,860 followersK.C. Wells lives on an island off the south coast of the UK, surrounded by natural beauty. She writes about men who love men, and can’t even contemplate a life that doesn’t include writing.
The rainbow rose tattoo on her back with the words 'Love is Love' and 'Love Wins' is her way of hoisting a flag. She plans to be writing about men in love - be it sweet and slow, hot or kinky - for a long while to come.
If you want to follow her exploits, you can sign up for her monthly newsletter: http://eepurl.com/cNKHlT
You can stalk – er, find – her in the following places:
E-mail: k.c.wells@btinternet.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KCWellsWorld
Twitter: @K_C_Wells
Website: https://www.kcwellswrites.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/k.c.wells
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/k-c-w...
And for those who like things a little hotter?
There's KC's alter ego, Tantalus, who writes gay erotica.
The rainbow rose tattoo on her back with the words 'Love is Love' and 'Love Wins' is her way of hoisting a flag. She plans to be writing about men in love - be it sweet and slow, hot or kinky - for a long while to come.
If you want to follow her exploits, you can sign up for her monthly newsletter: http://eepurl.com/cNKHlT
You can stalk – er, find – her in the following places:
E-mail: k.c.wells@btinternet.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KCWellsWorld
Twitter: @K_C_Wells
Website: https://www.kcwellswrites.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/k.c.wells
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/k-c-w...
And for those who like things a little hotter?
There's KC's alter ego, Tantalus, who writes gay erotica.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 245 reviews
February 12, 2025
Wait a minute, I've seen this specific man on several different books! I like to imagine that it's all the same guy in each book and he just has a very vibrant and abundant love life. Now this is an interesting book because I knew going into it that it’d be one of those “man-hooks-up-with-his-former-bully-for-some-reason” books, so I had an idea of what to expect. Because otherwise... man, I would probably feel palpable anger towards everything from the story to the characters. I mean, I still had a hard time coming to terms with the whole premise, but I think the book was patient enough with Ben and Wade’s development that it didn’t feel as contrived as these types of stories usually are. I do think Ben’s friends push him towards Wade a little too strongly in the beginning in a way that seemed unrealistic. I’m just saying if my buddy was trying to get advice on how to deal with his old nemesis from our school days, my advice would be quite different from the, “go talk to him and see if he’s a changed man” route! It’d be more of a "Hey, maybe it's not the best idea to take on the job where your boss would be your former homophobic bully!" variety. I'd get real Chuck McGill with it, ranting and raving all “"I know you. I know what you were, what you are. People don't change. You're Slippin' Jimmy! And Slippin' Jimmy I can handle just fine, but Slippin' Jimmy with a law degree is like a chimp with a machine gun!" like. But then if I had my way this would be a three-page book, and that’s not as fun.
The book also has a pretty bad title. Like, “Ben’s Boss” … okay? Aren't we missing a bit of context there? Maybe “Ben’s Bully” would have been too much of a turn off for potential readers? But enough semantics, let's get back to Wade, because if it wasn't clear from the distaste in my voice, I'll go ahead and say it: I think Ben might have forgiven him a little too easily. Why have this “bully romance” premise if you’re not going to have them throw words at each other at any point in the story!? By the time they do address the elephant in the room, their problems with each other are mostly water under the bridge! I know it’s supposed to be years later, but these kinds of things should get ugly before they get better. DRAMA! That’s the good stuff! Anyway, moving on, I HATE the underlying message that every homophobe is secretly gay. Not only is it a harmful stereotype, but it’s also just… not true. Some people are just hateful bigots, end of story. And this book low key perpetuating that idea makes me angrier than I can articulate. This isn’t the main message of the book (thankfully) but Ben brings it up when he’s in the process of forgiving Wade, so I had to talk about it a bit.
Personally, I’ve never really found a person I hate... hot. Like, the hatred negates any hotness that may be there otherwise, so you can probably see why this book seemed so odd to me. I mean, if someone was calling me slurs and all that, nowhere in my mind would I be thinking, “oh but they’re kind of fine though!” Of course, this isn’t to say I think people are incapable of redemption, and that someone who was a bully way, way back in high school is deemed to stay that way forever. You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who has the same belief system they had a year ago, let alone a decade. That’s why I think this book works in a way that others of the same genre don’t; it takes the time necessary to show that yes, Wade has changed, and yes, he is a better person now. And I think I can confidently say that I’ve talked myself into understanding why Ben forgave him… but getting freaky deaky with him?!?! I honestly can’t relate. Final thought, I seriously didn’t mean to write so much about this somewhat simple book. Oops. But there should have been a shouting match. Juu~uust saa~aaying.
The book also has a pretty bad title. Like, “Ben’s Boss” … okay? Aren't we missing a bit of context there? Maybe “Ben’s Bully” would have been too much of a turn off for potential readers? But enough semantics, let's get back to Wade, because if it wasn't clear from the distaste in my voice, I'll go ahead and say it: I think Ben might have forgiven him a little too easily. Why have this “bully romance” premise if you’re not going to have them throw words at each other at any point in the story!? By the time they do address the elephant in the room, their problems with each other are mostly water under the bridge! I know it’s supposed to be years later, but these kinds of things should get ugly before they get better. DRAMA! That’s the good stuff! Anyway, moving on, I HATE the underlying message that every homophobe is secretly gay. Not only is it a harmful stereotype, but it’s also just… not true. Some people are just hateful bigots, end of story. And this book low key perpetuating that idea makes me angrier than I can articulate. This isn’t the main message of the book (thankfully) but Ben brings it up when he’s in the process of forgiving Wade, so I had to talk about it a bit.
Personally, I’ve never really found a person I hate... hot. Like, the hatred negates any hotness that may be there otherwise, so you can probably see why this book seemed so odd to me. I mean, if someone was calling me slurs and all that, nowhere in my mind would I be thinking, “oh but they’re kind of fine though!” Of course, this isn’t to say I think people are incapable of redemption, and that someone who was a bully way, way back in high school is deemed to stay that way forever. You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who has the same belief system they had a year ago, let alone a decade. That’s why I think this book works in a way that others of the same genre don’t; it takes the time necessary to show that yes, Wade has changed, and yes, he is a better person now. And I think I can confidently say that I’ve talked myself into understanding why Ben forgave him… but getting freaky deaky with him?!?! I honestly can’t relate. Final thought, I seriously didn’t mean to write so much about this somewhat simple book. Oops. But there should have been a shouting match. Juu~uust saa~aaying.
June 18, 2021
Audio - 5 Stars
Story - 4 Stars
Story - 4 Stars
June 13, 2025
I was not a fan of the first book, but Ben's story is much better.
We still get too much exposition via conversation. Ben and his friends seem to have all the time in the world to talk on the phone, and they pick up every single call.
Who does that in 2021? I call my mom, but that's because she's allergic to technology. These guys are in their 20s. I know this was meant to show how supportive they all are, but it just didn't strike me as believable.
Now that I got that off my chest, I'll say that the "redeeming the bully" storyline is not my favorite. Bullies rarely deserve forgiveness. But my heart broke for Wade, for his shame and fear. Despite having a wonderful family, Wade hides. He's lonely and adrift, putting all his time and energy into his family's gift shops.
Once they're forced into a proximity situation (Wade hires Ben to work at one of the shops), Wade wants to make amends with Ben but doesn't know how, not until Ben confronts him and Wade promises to do better. The MCs form a tentative friendship despite both having massive crushes on each other.
The steam doesn't hit until around the 70 percent mark, but it's well worth the wait. We have an honest to god virgin here, y'all. I don't know about you, but I can always do with a good "debauching the virgin" scene. XXX HOT.
The ending isn't a firm HEA, but there's a glimmer of riding off into the sunset. I'm hoping we'll see more of Wade and Ben in the upcoming books.
We still get too much exposition via conversation. Ben and his friends seem to have all the time in the world to talk on the phone, and they pick up every single call.
Who does that in 2021? I call my mom, but that's because she's allergic to technology. These guys are in their 20s. I know this was meant to show how supportive they all are, but it just didn't strike me as believable.
Now that I got that off my chest, I'll say that the "redeeming the bully" storyline is not my favorite. Bullies rarely deserve forgiveness. But my heart broke for Wade, for his shame and fear. Despite having a wonderful family, Wade hides. He's lonely and adrift, putting all his time and energy into his family's gift shops.
Once they're forced into a proximity situation (Wade hires Ben to work at one of the shops), Wade wants to make amends with Ben but doesn't know how, not until Ben confronts him and Wade promises to do better. The MCs form a tentative friendship despite both having massive crushes on each other.
The steam doesn't hit until around the 70 percent mark, but it's well worth the wait. We have an honest to god virgin here, y'all. I don't know about you, but I can always do with a good "debauching the virgin" scene. XXX HOT.
The ending isn't a firm HEA, but there's a glimmer of riding off into the sunset. I'm hoping we'll see more of Wade and Ben in the upcoming books.
June 16, 2021
4 “Wade kissed a boy… and he liked it.” stars
“A good friend told me that if I said ‘I forgive you,’ I had to mean it. That if there was the slightest possibility that at some point in the future, I’d bring up our past and throw it back at you, then I should walk away.” […] “This is me not walking away. This is me saying, ‘I forgive you.’ Not just now, but for always.”
I’m not actually sure this book is meant to be read as a standalone. I must admit, I spent a lot of the book wondering what the fuck was going on. I did not read the first book in this series and I never will read it because I know it’s about a gay man who knew he was gay but still married a woman and reading that trope makes me sick, so I will not put myself through that. I was quite confused as to who the characters are because there is tons of side characters in this book and i’m assuming they’re all introduced in book 1. But I rather not know who anyone is than reading book 1, so.
My rating for this book is mostly based on my enjoyment while reading the book and less on my feelings about the book in itself. I really enjoyed this book. Which is shocking since I haven’t enjoyed many books lately. I had some problems with the book but it didn’t bring down my enjoyment of the book. I had such a good time reading this book.
Brief summary
Ben was bullied in high school because Wade Parson thought he was gay. 8 years later, he gets a job interview at a gif shop owned by the Pearson family. Turns out the gift shop is managed by Wade. Wade was Ben’s first crush and he never forgot him. They fall in love.
First, I loved the atmosphere of the gift shop, it was so peaceful. And Wade’s mom who worked there was just so lovely. And Wade’s grandfather was so sweet too.
Second, the vibe of the town was lovely, it was a gorgeous small town surrounded by woods and waters and it felt like it would be so nice and peaceful to live there. I live in a remote small town, like the one the book is set in, so I really appreciate these kind of atmospheres in books, I much prefer it to cities.
Third, this is a very atmospheric book, which I really enjoyed. A lot of the start was about setting up the scene and who the characters are. I like how we got to know everyone in details.
Fourth, I really loved Ben as a character. He was sweet and always stood up for himself. I enjoyed Wade a little less, he barely did anything, he was saying how he was so invested in the relationship but it felt like he was barely a part of that relationship.
Fifth, it took so long for these guys to start interacting. At one point I realized that I was 46% in, they were still barely talking to each other. Wade was ignoring Ben and Ben hates it and can’t stand it and I just wanted Wade to talk to Ben instead of just ignoring him. It felt so long before these guys got together, and it was, they only had their first kiss at 65%. I wanted these two to spend more time as a couple.
Sixth, Wade was in the closet and scared as fuck of coming out… but he never said why so I didn’t understand why he was so scared. We were never told his reasons for it. I’m sure he had some but he kept saying how he can’t come out but he never said why. All that we saw of his family was them being supportive of Ben being gay and supportive of Wade by saying they didn’t care who he dated, if it was a man or a woman. I would have liked to know why he was closeted because I couldn’t understand based on his life story. And then when he came out to Ben, he came out to everyone else in under a week so it hard for me to see why he was still closeted at the start.
But I did feel for Wade and I could feel how much he was hurting and how bad he felt but I wish I understood his motives a little bit better. It was so hard for Wade to open up and I do get that. I guess he did make sense to me, after all, I just wish I understood him better.
Seventh, sometimes I was wondering if Wade is really into Ben. Ben’s pining for Wade was lovely. Wade with a little pining for it didn’t feel the same. It seemed like Ben was into Wade more, at the start anyway. We got to read a lot about Ben’s pining but barely about Wade’s pining, I wanted to see more of his pining It seemed like Ben was doing all of the effort to talk to Wade and make things better between them, Wade didn’t seem to do much. He never started anything, it was all on Ben.
Side note, I liked Wade’s mom and grandpa playing match-makers and trying to set them up together. And the both of them were so obvious and didn’t realize. It was so sweet.
Eight, I really liked the moment that Ben found out why Wade bullied him in school. I like that Ben didn’t make it easy for Wade and that Ben made Wade growel before he forgave him. But I really needed more groweling. There was a little but not enough to make me happy.
Side note, Wade’s family being supportive and nice was such a breath of fresh air compared to most of the other books I read.
Ninth, I love a good sexual exploration. Wade was a virgin, it was so lovely seeing his first time and his wonder at how everything feels. The sex scenes were lovely but very much lacking prep, you can’t just jam your dick into someone, you need prep. I love how Wade didn’t assume he’s a top or a bottom and wanted to try and tried both.
Tenth, Once these people commited, they commited. I got whiplash from how fast it went once they got together. These people only got together at 65% and at 80% they were ready to buy a house together. All that happened in under a week.
Side note, I did really enjoy how once they were together, they were together. I liked that there was no weird misscommunication or break up at 80%, that was lovely.
Everything happening in this book was a little too easy and I would have prefered more conflict but I still had such a good time reading this book.
I received an ARC of this book, and this is my honest review.
“A good friend told me that if I said ‘I forgive you,’ I had to mean it. That if there was the slightest possibility that at some point in the future, I’d bring up our past and throw it back at you, then I should walk away.” […] “This is me not walking away. This is me saying, ‘I forgive you.’ Not just now, but for always.”
I’m not actually sure this book is meant to be read as a standalone. I must admit, I spent a lot of the book wondering what the fuck was going on. I did not read the first book in this series and I never will read it because I know it’s about a gay man who knew he was gay but still married a woman and reading that trope makes me sick, so I will not put myself through that. I was quite confused as to who the characters are because there is tons of side characters in this book and i’m assuming they’re all introduced in book 1. But I rather not know who anyone is than reading book 1, so.
My rating for this book is mostly based on my enjoyment while reading the book and less on my feelings about the book in itself. I really enjoyed this book. Which is shocking since I haven’t enjoyed many books lately. I had some problems with the book but it didn’t bring down my enjoyment of the book. I had such a good time reading this book.
Brief summary
Ben was bullied in high school because Wade Parson thought he was gay. 8 years later, he gets a job interview at a gif shop owned by the Pearson family. Turns out the gift shop is managed by Wade. Wade was Ben’s first crush and he never forgot him. They fall in love.
First, I loved the atmosphere of the gift shop, it was so peaceful. And Wade’s mom who worked there was just so lovely. And Wade’s grandfather was so sweet too.
Second, the vibe of the town was lovely, it was a gorgeous small town surrounded by woods and waters and it felt like it would be so nice and peaceful to live there. I live in a remote small town, like the one the book is set in, so I really appreciate these kind of atmospheres in books, I much prefer it to cities.
Third, this is a very atmospheric book, which I really enjoyed. A lot of the start was about setting up the scene and who the characters are. I like how we got to know everyone in details.
Fourth, I really loved Ben as a character. He was sweet and always stood up for himself. I enjoyed Wade a little less, he barely did anything, he was saying how he was so invested in the relationship but it felt like he was barely a part of that relationship.
Fifth, it took so long for these guys to start interacting. At one point I realized that I was 46% in, they were still barely talking to each other. Wade was ignoring Ben and Ben hates it and can’t stand it and I just wanted Wade to talk to Ben instead of just ignoring him. It felt so long before these guys got together, and it was, they only had their first kiss at 65%. I wanted these two to spend more time as a couple.
Sixth, Wade was in the closet and scared as fuck of coming out… but he never said why so I didn’t understand why he was so scared. We were never told his reasons for it. I’m sure he had some but he kept saying how he can’t come out but he never said why. All that we saw of his family was them being supportive of Ben being gay and supportive of Wade by saying they didn’t care who he dated, if it was a man or a woman. I would have liked to know why he was closeted because I couldn’t understand based on his life story. And then when he came out to Ben, he came out to everyone else in under a week so it hard for me to see why he was still closeted at the start.
But I did feel for Wade and I could feel how much he was hurting and how bad he felt but I wish I understood his motives a little bit better. It was so hard for Wade to open up and I do get that. I guess he did make sense to me, after all, I just wish I understood him better.
Seventh, sometimes I was wondering if Wade is really into Ben. Ben’s pining for Wade was lovely. Wade with a little pining for it didn’t feel the same. It seemed like Ben was into Wade more, at the start anyway. We got to read a lot about Ben’s pining but barely about Wade’s pining, I wanted to see more of his pining It seemed like Ben was doing all of the effort to talk to Wade and make things better between them, Wade didn’t seem to do much. He never started anything, it was all on Ben.
Side note, I liked Wade’s mom and grandpa playing match-makers and trying to set them up together. And the both of them were so obvious and didn’t realize. It was so sweet.
Eight, I really liked the moment that Ben found out why Wade bullied him in school. I like that Ben didn’t make it easy for Wade and that Ben made Wade growel before he forgave him. But I really needed more groweling. There was a little but not enough to make me happy.
Side note, Wade’s family being supportive and nice was such a breath of fresh air compared to most of the other books I read.
Ninth, I love a good sexual exploration. Wade was a virgin, it was so lovely seeing his first time and his wonder at how everything feels. The sex scenes were lovely but very much lacking prep, you can’t just jam your dick into someone, you need prep. I love how Wade didn’t assume he’s a top or a bottom and wanted to try and tried both.
Tenth, Once these people commited, they commited. I got whiplash from how fast it went once they got together. These people only got together at 65% and at 80% they were ready to buy a house together. All that happened in under a week.
Side note, I did really enjoy how once they were together, they were together. I liked that there was no weird misscommunication or break up at 80%, that was lovely.
Everything happening in this book was a little too easy and I would have prefered more conflict but I still had such a good time reading this book.
I received an ARC of this book, and this is my honest review.
August 26, 2021
5 wonderful stars!
I loved the first book even though I shouldn't have and I have to admit that I was a little afraid that I might have had a little too high expectations for this one. I shouldn't have worried, this was even better. With that said, this is probably not a book for everyone. It's not following the traditional romance route. A lot of the book is about forgiveness. And finding a way to let go of the past, realizing that people can change. When Ben and Wade finally gets together, it's a fast ride. But it makes sense for them and it made sense for me. The long road to forgiveness was needed.
I won't go into the plot too much. What I want to say is that this is the former bully trope done right! K.C. Wells managed to not only make it believable but also heartfelt and beautiful. As someone who's gone through being bullied myself I could feel Ben's pain of being faced with a former bully. But I could also feel Wade's pain and regret.
This book just touched me. I couldn't stop reading.
Ben's Boss is the second book in the Maine Men series and I do not recommend reading it as a standalone. There's a lot of secondary character (many of them potential future MC'S) and you are going to need the introduction from book one to be able to fully follow the story.
I loved the first book even though I shouldn't have and I have to admit that I was a little afraid that I might have had a little too high expectations for this one. I shouldn't have worried, this was even better. With that said, this is probably not a book for everyone. It's not following the traditional romance route. A lot of the book is about forgiveness. And finding a way to let go of the past, realizing that people can change. When Ben and Wade finally gets together, it's a fast ride. But it makes sense for them and it made sense for me. The long road to forgiveness was needed.
I won't go into the plot too much. What I want to say is that this is the former bully trope done right! K.C. Wells managed to not only make it believable but also heartfelt and beautiful. As someone who's gone through being bullied myself I could feel Ben's pain of being faced with a former bully. But I could also feel Wade's pain and regret.
This book just touched me. I couldn't stop reading.
Ben's Boss is the second book in the Maine Men series and I do not recommend reading it as a standalone. There's a lot of secondary character (many of them potential future MC'S) and you are going to need the introduction from book one to be able to fully follow the story.
June 12, 2021
A sensitive and romantic beautiful hurt/comfort story. KC Wells addresses bullying and bigotry the way I know to expect from her. Just lovely - review to come.
June 17, 2021
5 stars audio
4 stars story.
4 stars story.
August 25, 2021
Another cute entry in this series
It's difficult to redeem a bully and turn them into the love interest but Kc did a great job here.
As we got both men's POVs, it made things much easier and the genuine regret which was choking Wade was obvious.
It's really sweet, pretty steamy and has a nice thread of warmth that comes not only from Ben's friend group, but also Wade's family.
Things might have moved a bit quick but when you've both been crushing on the other for years, it's not surprising really!
It's difficult to redeem a bully and turn them into the love interest but Kc did a great job here.
As we got both men's POVs, it made things much easier and the genuine regret which was choking Wade was obvious.
It's really sweet, pretty steamy and has a nice thread of warmth that comes not only from Ben's friend group, but also Wade's family.
Things might have moved a bit quick but when you've both been crushing on the other for years, it's not surprising really!
February 8, 2023
Lovely second chance romance between a former high school bully and the guy he picked upon.
Firstly: I haven’t read book 1, the reviews didn’t convince me. So that’s why I had to struggle a tiny bit with all the side characters that made up Ben’s group of friends, but it’s doable - I haven’t had the feeling I’ve missed a lot by skipping the previous book.
Ben, one of said friends, applies for a job in a gift shop and discovers to his dismay that the owner is no other than his former high school bully, Wade. A man whom he not only had a crush with despite the bullying, but who got even more attractive now that he’s mature.
What he didn’t know back then (or now): the attraction wasn’t one sided, only that Wade is deeply in the closet. So closeted in fact, that he’s still a virgin.
Wade wants to make amends, and ever so slowly, they become friends. Until one day, Ben discovers Wade’s secret.
It’s pretty low on angst, and full of likeable characters. I always love a gfy/sexual discovery story. I liked it, but it didn’t draw me in completely. Still did 4 stars out of 5, and I’ll happily continue with this series.
Firstly: I haven’t read book 1, the reviews didn’t convince me. So that’s why I had to struggle a tiny bit with all the side characters that made up Ben’s group of friends, but it’s doable - I haven’t had the feeling I’ve missed a lot by skipping the previous book.
Ben, one of said friends, applies for a job in a gift shop and discovers to his dismay that the owner is no other than his former high school bully, Wade. A man whom he not only had a crush with despite the bullying, but who got even more attractive now that he’s mature.
What he didn’t know back then (or now): the attraction wasn’t one sided, only that Wade is deeply in the closet. So closeted in fact, that he’s still a virgin.
Wade wants to make amends, and ever so slowly, they become friends. Until one day, Ben discovers Wade’s secret.
It’s pretty low on angst, and full of likeable characters. I always love a gfy/sexual discovery story. I liked it, but it didn’t draw me in completely. Still did 4 stars out of 5, and I’ll happily continue with this series.
June 15, 2021
4.5 stars Life couldn’t be that cruel, could it?
Ben has a job interview and what he feared became true, in front of him sits his biggest nightmare, Wade Pearson.
Wade wants to do good, make right what he did wrong all those years ago.
He has to show Ben he changed. How can he ever make up for what he’d done and was going on in his life back in those days?
Ben can’t believe he got hired by Wade, Ben will run the shop with Wade’s mother Mary, and his grandfather ‘Gramps’ and some seasonal staff. Wade himself works around the four shops they got.
From the views we get from Ben and Wade, the picture of what happened in the past is getting clearer and clearer. Been bullied by Wade was horrible, painful, and unforgivable. Ben felt stupid for the attraction he had for his bully. After all these years he still feels things seeing Wade.
Very tentative they build some kind of a friendship. Ben has a big heart and it seems Wade is so not who he thought he was.
Ben is so lucky with his supportive circle of friends, they know all how he suffered because of Wade, they are always available and let him venture about his feelings. Looking at Wade and know who he really is, they even may have a chance. What would his friends say?
Ben knows he and Wade have to convince not one but seven men!
I was looking forward to Ben’s story, I love me some hurt comfort, for me, there could have been much more and more palpable. I think that isn’t the intention of this series, it’s for a wider audience.
When I look back at this story I can conclude it was quite soft, even with the bullying in mind, it was kind of sweet.
Maybe a bit predictable here and there, but no problem. All people are good at heart and good-humored, which shows throughout the story.
It’s somewhat a slow burn romance, but wait for it, when the sky got cleared the heat was on, literally!
The friends popping in was great, we get to know their characteristics more and more this way. The flow of the story was comfortable, the development enough, some side stories made the story fuller, and sometimes secondary characters aren’t quite secondary, I loved them.
The Maine Men series concept is nicely thought out, every installment will have a different main
character from one of these eight men.
Read and reviewed for LoveBytes LGBTQ bookreviews
Ben has a job interview and what he feared became true, in front of him sits his biggest nightmare, Wade Pearson.
Wade wants to do good, make right what he did wrong all those years ago.
He has to show Ben he changed. How can he ever make up for what he’d done and was going on in his life back in those days?
Ben can’t believe he got hired by Wade, Ben will run the shop with Wade’s mother Mary, and his grandfather ‘Gramps’ and some seasonal staff. Wade himself works around the four shops they got.
From the views we get from Ben and Wade, the picture of what happened in the past is getting clearer and clearer. Been bullied by Wade was horrible, painful, and unforgivable. Ben felt stupid for the attraction he had for his bully. After all these years he still feels things seeing Wade.
Very tentative they build some kind of a friendship. Ben has a big heart and it seems Wade is so not who he thought he was.
Ben is so lucky with his supportive circle of friends, they know all how he suffered because of Wade, they are always available and let him venture about his feelings. Looking at Wade and know who he really is, they even may have a chance. What would his friends say?
Ben knows he and Wade have to convince not one but seven men!
I was looking forward to Ben’s story, I love me some hurt comfort, for me, there could have been much more and more palpable. I think that isn’t the intention of this series, it’s for a wider audience.
When I look back at this story I can conclude it was quite soft, even with the bullying in mind, it was kind of sweet.
Maybe a bit predictable here and there, but no problem. All people are good at heart and good-humored, which shows throughout the story.
It’s somewhat a slow burn romance, but wait for it, when the sky got cleared the heat was on, literally!
The friends popping in was great, we get to know their characteristics more and more this way. The flow of the story was comfortable, the development enough, some side stories made the story fuller, and sometimes secondary characters aren’t quite secondary, I loved them.
The Maine Men series concept is nicely thought out, every installment will have a different main
character from one of these eight men.
Read and reviewed for LoveBytes LGBTQ bookreviews
July 22, 2022
Dopo aver amato il primo libro, devo dire che questo non è da meno e mi ha catturato.
Ho un debole per le seconde possibilità, soprattutto con una redenzione nel mezzo.
Ci sono degli ottimi personaggi, sia protagonisti sia secondari, e la trama scorre che è un piacere.
La Wells è famosa per le sue storie più hot e sensuali, ma devo dire che questa serie più “commedia” è maggiormente nelle mie corde. Beninteso: i momenti piccanti ci sono anche qui e sono piacevolissimi!
Corro a leggere il volume tre appena uscito e vi consiglio questo!
Voto: 4+ su 5
Ho un debole per le seconde possibilità, soprattutto con una redenzione nel mezzo.
Ci sono degli ottimi personaggi, sia protagonisti sia secondari, e la trama scorre che è un piacere.
La Wells è famosa per le sue storie più hot e sensuali, ma devo dire che questa serie più “commedia” è maggiormente nelle mie corde. Beninteso: i momenti piccanti ci sono anche qui e sono piacevolissimi!
Corro a leggere il volume tre appena uscito e vi consiglio questo!
Voto: 4+ su 5
July 11, 2021
A sweet redemption, second chances, hurt-comfort story. Wade was Ben's bully in HS and he is determined to make things right, even if he's not that willing to come clean about himself. Ben is a sweetheart, older now he knows what he wants even if his friends might not agree (personally I would have liked to see Ben let Wade suffer a bit more, but I'm vengeful like that when it comes to characters I like).
It's a slow build, which suited the story well. Ben's group of friends act as a good sounding board and enough intrigue about Seb is built to make you want to read the next story.
It's a slow build, which suited the story well. Ben's group of friends act as a good sounding board and enough intrigue about Seb is built to make you want to read the next story.
April 27, 2021
The second in the series..This is Ben's story and his future boyfriend is the guy who bullied him in high school..Wade....He really did need a swift kick but it was obvious he wasn't the same person he used to be..He wanted to make it up to Ben and he did.Even though they don't get together to well past half way it is obvious that they were perfect for each other...I loved Gramps too..He was brilliant, plus Wades mum....I am really looking forward to the next one in the series x
July 6, 2021
Ben's Boss
By K.C. Wells
Ben hates his job and his boss so he applies for a new job at a family owned gift shop in town. It's filled with items that make him laugh so he thinks it'd be a perfect job for him until the day of his interview when he discovers the man who bullied him viciously in high school is the manager. Determined to show Wade he didn’t let his bullying break him when he was younger he finishes out the interview in a professional manner.
Wade has many regrets and secrets. His biggest regret is how he treated Ben in high school. To make it up to Ben he hires him.
Throughout the book they go through their ups and downs. They discuss what happened in high school. A hesitant friendship even turns into more.
This book was on my personal 'Have To Read' list before it even came out and not just because of the adorable cover.
I love Ben. He is such a sweetheart and a strong man. Yes, he still struggles with what happened in high school, but he's always been determined not to let it destroy him or take him down. His best friends are his rock and help him through everything.
Wade has changed. He's now a good man and once you find out all the reasons he bullied Ben you're more forgiving. I adored Wade's Mom and Gramps. They were a great addition to the characters.
In all I very much enjoyed the book. It was definitely a good read.
The book is in both Ben and Wade's POV. The angst level is low/medium.
By K.C. Wells
Ben hates his job and his boss so he applies for a new job at a family owned gift shop in town. It's filled with items that make him laugh so he thinks it'd be a perfect job for him until the day of his interview when he discovers the man who bullied him viciously in high school is the manager. Determined to show Wade he didn’t let his bullying break him when he was younger he finishes out the interview in a professional manner.
Wade has many regrets and secrets. His biggest regret is how he treated Ben in high school. To make it up to Ben he hires him.
Throughout the book they go through their ups and downs. They discuss what happened in high school. A hesitant friendship even turns into more.
This book was on my personal 'Have To Read' list before it even came out and not just because of the adorable cover.
I love Ben. He is such a sweetheart and a strong man. Yes, he still struggles with what happened in high school, but he's always been determined not to let it destroy him or take him down. His best friends are his rock and help him through everything.
Wade has changed. He's now a good man and once you find out all the reasons he bullied Ben you're more forgiving. I adored Wade's Mom and Gramps. They were a great addition to the characters.
In all I very much enjoyed the book. It was definitely a good read.
The book is in both Ben and Wade's POV. The angst level is low/medium.
June 17, 2021
I loved this book. It took me a little longer to get into it because Wade and Ben were suffering so much. John Solo did he usual incredible narration and K. C. supplied a wonderful plot. This was a tough subject and it was handled so beautifully. The crazy thing was I was reading another bully to lover book at the same time, but I thought this addressed in a much better way. Can’t wait for the next book.
November 5, 2024
rep - gay mc, m/m romance
tw - bully
bullied x ex bully ? but the bully was actually in love with the guy he was bullying ?
not the biggest fan of this can on trope but i still enjoyed my read ! wade and ben are absolutely adorable together and just hoped there was not this bully history between them..
tw - bully
bullied x ex bully ? but the bully was actually in love with the guy he was bullying ?
not the biggest fan of this can on trope but i still enjoyed my read ! wade and ben are absolutely adorable together and just hoped there was not this bully history between them..
January 10, 2022
Premise had lots of potential, but I had a hard time buying in the authenticity of both characters--who they were, what made them tick. As a result, it took me out of the story. So this was a okay read, but not a great read for me.
January 25, 2023
This series has been one of my favorites but then I like everything that K C Wells writes:) The guys are all friends that first met in high school and have remained friends throughout the years afterwards. Each has his own story in the 7-book series ...which by the way Ms. Wells, is WAY too short. Ben finds that the gift shop where his interview is taking place is managed by his crush in high school that turned into his worse bully. Ben's feelings haven't changed for Wade and he's sure Wades opinion of him is also the same...but he's going to show Wade that he's a better man and go to the interview. This is a beautiful love story between two very different individuals who decide to leave the past in the past and move forward with one another. It is a happy ever after and an enemy to lover’s story. I enjoyed Ben and Wade’s story and could truly feel their connection.
June 13, 2021
Sweet journey from former bully and his victim to tentative friends and then to lovers.
I loved that there was no instant/easy foregiveness and that relationships progressed only after Ben got to know the new/real Wade for a couple of months. It took time for the whole truth about MCs feelings to be revealed and it worked well to establish foundation for MCs connection in the present. Ben and Wade were sweet and sexy together, I thoroughly enjoyed all their firsts - first kiss, first date, first bj, first time top and first time bottom. I just wish there was more time spent as a couple before love declarations.
Special appreciation for Ben's friends and Wade's family. They were there for Ben and Wade respectively and gave advice and opinion, but not once it slipped to annoying meddling. Just the right balance of caring and giving space.
Looking forward to Seb's story
I loved that there was no instant/easy foregiveness and that relationships progressed only after Ben got to know the new/real Wade for a couple of months. It took time for the whole truth about MCs feelings to be revealed and it worked well to establish foundation for MCs connection in the present. Ben and Wade were sweet and sexy together, I thoroughly enjoyed all their firsts - first kiss, first date, first bj, first time top and first time bottom. I just wish there was more time spent as a couple before love declarations.
Special appreciation for Ben's friends and Wade's family. They were there for Ben and Wade respectively and gave advice and opinion, but not once it slipped to annoying meddling. Just the right balance of caring and giving space.
Looking forward to Seb's story
February 4, 2022
Much more than a romance, this has a twist, and information I hadn't heard about bullying.
Ben gets a job interview at his high school bully's store. It's been eight years since high school.
Ben, 26, (cover) blonde and blue eyed,
smaller guy, has his group of friends to lean on, and needs a better workplace.
Wade, 27, tall with lean muscles, a dark beard,
manages the four shops for his family business. He was bullied in grade school, and in turn he bullied kids in high school, but he's different now, in a better frame of mind.
Despite Wade being a bully back then, Ben still has a crush on the hunky man. Ben fits in at the store with the workers, Wade's Mom and Gramps, too.
When they become friends, they hike, and get along well. Ben is getting close to the family, and invites to dinner, too. Later, when Ben helps Wade unpack boxes, something he finds shocks him.
Luckily, as always, Ben has his buddies to figure out his problems with, and they are fantastic sounding boards for each other.
Wade and Ben have a heart-to-heart talk, clear the air, and Ben gives Wade his first ever kiss.
Both top/bottom in their hot sexy times.
These are good people who survived their past differences, and reach out to help another, a sweet kid going through the same bullying treatment.
The guys are fun, caring and lively. I am having fun and enjoying getting to know about these men. It's a cute story, funny, serious and caring, with deep friendships.
A cliffhanger is at the end, for one of the guys, who's story is next.
ENJOY !
=======
Ben gets a job interview at his high school bully's store. It's been eight years since high school.
Ben, 26, (cover) blonde and blue eyed,
smaller guy, has his group of friends to lean on, and needs a better workplace.
Wade, 27, tall with lean muscles, a dark beard,
manages the four shops for his family business. He was bullied in grade school, and in turn he bullied kids in high school, but he's different now, in a better frame of mind.
Despite Wade being a bully back then, Ben still has a crush on the hunky man. Ben fits in at the store with the workers, Wade's Mom and Gramps, too.
When they become friends, they hike, and get along well. Ben is getting close to the family, and invites to dinner, too. Later, when Ben helps Wade unpack boxes, something he finds shocks him.
Luckily, as always, Ben has his buddies to figure out his problems with, and they are fantastic sounding boards for each other.
Wade and Ben have a heart-to-heart talk, clear the air, and Ben gives Wade his first ever kiss.
Both top/bottom in their hot sexy times.
These are good people who survived their past differences, and reach out to help another, a sweet kid going through the same bullying treatment.
The guys are fun, caring and lively. I am having fun and enjoying getting to know about these men. It's a cute story, funny, serious and caring, with deep friendships.
A cliffhanger is at the end, for one of the guys, who's story is next.
ENJOY !
=======
February 8, 2022
This is the 2nd book in this series, with Ben's story. If you've read the first one, you'll remember Ben as one of the friend group, who had a job interview coming up.
Ben's high school nemesis, the huge boy who relentlessly bullied him for being presumably gay, is the owner of the tourist knick-knack store where Ben has applied. Their unexpected (for Ben) crossing of paths starts off this story.
Wade has a secret he's kept for eight years, but now truth will out.
I really liked this. Ben is a great character, and Wade's experiences as a child may have influenced his behavior in high school, but he's very different now. Ben seeks advice from his two closest friends, Aaron and Dylan, who are both very supportive but also encouraging.
The ILYs come super fast once truth has been shared, and though I usually don't buy into the insta-love kind of thing, here it didn't feel out of place, considering how much these two pined for each other unknowingly.
Very emotional sexy times, one of the hallmarks of this author, also further the plot and the relationship. The ending was kind of abrupt, but I expect that we'll see more of these two in the next book, Seb's Summer.
Off to KU I go.
Ben's high school nemesis, the huge boy who relentlessly bullied him for being presumably gay, is the owner of the tourist knick-knack store where Ben has applied. Their unexpected (for Ben) crossing of paths starts off this story.
Wade has a secret he's kept for eight years, but now truth will out.
I really liked this. Ben is a great character, and Wade's experiences as a child may have influenced his behavior in high school, but he's very different now. Ben seeks advice from his two closest friends, Aaron and Dylan, who are both very supportive but also encouraging.
The ILYs come super fast once truth has been shared, and though I usually don't buy into the insta-love kind of thing, here it didn't feel out of place, considering how much these two pined for each other unknowingly.
Very emotional sexy times, one of the hallmarks of this author, also further the plot and the relationship. The ending was kind of abrupt, but I expect that we'll see more of these two in the next book, Seb's Summer.
Off to KU I go.
March 5, 2022
This was sweet but then they would say or do something that made me not believe one thing about their romance.
I cannot believe in a romance that does not let the victim grieve or be angry about their situation before thrusting them into the arms of their own perpetrator.
I cannot believe in a romance that does not let the victim grieve or be angry about their situation before thrusting them into the arms of their own perpetrator.
September 4, 2022
Forgiveness--a word many people toss around but few actually truly act on. In this story, Ben discovers that his new potential boss is none other than Wade, the bully who made high school hell for him eight years ago. After consulting with his group of besties (whose stories we'll get in future), all of whom were in that same high school and know the real Ben behind his happy persona, Ben decides to give the job a try.
It helps that it's work in a gift shop with Wade's mom and grandfather, both of whom are super personable and add depth to the story. It also helps that they own multiple stores and Wade isn't always present at the store where Ben is working. But Ben sees a new side of Wade when he does show up and learns more of his background from Wade's mom--enough to make him realize Wade the man is not Wade the bully.
I like the way the author set up the story and the romance and redeemed bully Wade to a nicer version of himself. Everyone acknowledged that it's rare to see the bully overcome his need to continue his behavior. And, of course, it comes as no surprise to readers (and to his family) that Wade is gay and has a burning crush on Ben.
Their relationship as adults had a rocky start but once Ben determines to forgive him, he's all in. And though Wade is shocked that he might have someone beyond his wildest dreams too, he embraces his second chance. All in all I really enjoyed the story. A little more than just "liked" so 3.5 stars but rounded up because the pace and content kept me reading steadily, instead of my usual stop and start with a 3 star book. So 4 stars it is.
It helps that it's work in a gift shop with Wade's mom and grandfather, both of whom are super personable and add depth to the story. It also helps that they own multiple stores and Wade isn't always present at the store where Ben is working. But Ben sees a new side of Wade when he does show up and learns more of his background from Wade's mom--enough to make him realize Wade the man is not Wade the bully.
I like the way the author set up the story and the romance and redeemed bully Wade to a nicer version of himself. Everyone acknowledged that it's rare to see the bully overcome his need to continue his behavior. And, of course, it comes as no surprise to readers (and to his family) that Wade is gay and has a burning crush on Ben.
Their relationship as adults had a rocky start but once Ben determines to forgive him, he's all in. And though Wade is shocked that he might have someone beyond his wildest dreams too, he embraces his second chance. All in all I really enjoyed the story. A little more than just "liked" so 3.5 stars but rounded up because the pace and content kept me reading steadily, instead of my usual stop and start with a 3 star book. So 4 stars it is.
June 11, 2021
Ben's Boss is a wonderful romance by KC Wells. The second book in the Maine Men series, it has all the charm and heart of the first book, Finn's Fantasy.
I love everything about this book and series so far.
Ben meets up with his former bully, Wade, when he applies for a job in Wade's company.
It's a fantastic story of forgiveness and redemption. A wonderful tale of second chances and the fact that people change.
This is a beautiful tale of friendship and love. And in a wonderful twist, it's Wade that needs Ben's love to help him heal.
If you love men who can forgive their former bully, look no further. I'll admit that as a reader, it isn't always easy to believe this can happen. This book does a damn good job making the reader believe in this couple.
The writing is great, with small town charm and plenty of delightful secondary characters. The men are complex and their storyline is intriguing. There's plenty of humor and one liners to keep one laughing as well.
Ben's Boss is a heart warming romance. This KC Wells book is a great combo of sweetness, heart, humor, and heat.
February 24, 2022
Il secondo appuntamento della serie Maine Men è, come c'era da aspettarsi, una lettura romantica, qui e lì spruzzata di ironia e dialoghi frizzanti.
Ben e Wade sono caratterizzati in modo adeguato e la loro storia, che affonda le radici fin dai tempi del liceo, permette di vedere il tema del bullismo sotto diversi punti di vista, lasciando spazio per ulteriori riflessioni.
La presenza del folto gruppo di amici è una costante piacevole, che garantisce un pizzico di brio alla narrazione che, altrimenti, sarebbe stata eccessivamente monotona.
Ci sono alcuni refusi, che non inficiano la gradevolezza dello stile.
4 stelle non piene
Hugs&kisses
Ben e Wade sono caratterizzati in modo adeguato e la loro storia, che affonda le radici fin dai tempi del liceo, permette di vedere il tema del bullismo sotto diversi punti di vista, lasciando spazio per ulteriori riflessioni.
La presenza del folto gruppo di amici è una costante piacevole, che garantisce un pizzico di brio alla narrazione che, altrimenti, sarebbe stata eccessivamente monotona.
Ci sono alcuni refusi, che non inficiano la gradevolezza dello stile.
4 stelle non piene
Hugs&kisses
Read
June 15, 2021DNF at 59% For some reason, strictly my own fault, I cannot keep my attention on this story. I think it's my frame of mind right now, so I am going to shelf it and come back to it at another date. I love KC's books, so I know it's my weird moody reading self...lol.😳
June 19, 2022
3'75 🌟
Me pasa parecido con el anterior, es un libro tranquilo, que se lee bien y en esta ocasión con un poco más de contenido. Sin embargo, le sigue faltando algo. Aún así, quiero seguir leyendo sobre el grupo de amigos, así que algo bueno tiene esta saga
Me pasa parecido con el anterior, es un libro tranquilo, que se lee bien y en esta ocasión con un poco más de contenido. Sin embargo, le sigue faltando algo. Aún así, quiero seguir leyendo sobre el grupo de amigos, así que algo bueno tiene esta saga
April 29, 2021
I loved this book! It has everything a reader could want, humour, love, tender moments, steamy scenes, angst and most of all some fantastic characters.
Ben is looking for a change of job and seemingly the ideal one pops up at a local, cosy tourist gift shop. However the owners surname is the same as the one his high school bully shared and Ben really hopes that Wade won't be the one carrying out the interviews.
Wade is all alone and still remorseful for bullying Ben in high school, especially as it was to cover up his own secret and insecurities. When he spots Bens name on the list of applicants for a job at the family store, old memories of longing and past regrets are once again stirred up along with the anxiety and excitement of seeing Ben again.
This is a beautiful story of forgiveness, longing, both in the past and present and how enemies can become friends and lovers and finally accept each other for who they really are. As it turns out it is Wade who needs to be saved by Ben who gives him all the love and friendship that he has been missing. Wades mum and Gramps are wonderful characters, especially Gramps with his witty one line comments. Bens friends are a great bunch and after their initial shock, accept Wade for who he is now and not the person they all remember. I also loved how Finn and Joel from book 1 in the series also make a welcome appearance on one or two occasions.
KC Wells never disappoints and this book gets a well deserved 5 stars from me. I'm really looking forward to book 3 in the series. I was gifted an ARC for an honest review.
Ben is looking for a change of job and seemingly the ideal one pops up at a local, cosy tourist gift shop. However the owners surname is the same as the one his high school bully shared and Ben really hopes that Wade won't be the one carrying out the interviews.
Wade is all alone and still remorseful for bullying Ben in high school, especially as it was to cover up his own secret and insecurities. When he spots Bens name on the list of applicants for a job at the family store, old memories of longing and past regrets are once again stirred up along with the anxiety and excitement of seeing Ben again.
This is a beautiful story of forgiveness, longing, both in the past and present and how enemies can become friends and lovers and finally accept each other for who they really are. As it turns out it is Wade who needs to be saved by Ben who gives him all the love and friendship that he has been missing. Wades mum and Gramps are wonderful characters, especially Gramps with his witty one line comments. Bens friends are a great bunch and after their initial shock, accept Wade for who he is now and not the person they all remember. I also loved how Finn and Joel from book 1 in the series also make a welcome appearance on one or two occasions.
KC Wells never disappoints and this book gets a well deserved 5 stars from me. I'm really looking forward to book 3 in the series. I was gifted an ARC for an honest review.
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