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Make You Sweat
LGBT ContemporaryReady for change, Tyler Pierce has the whole summer ahead of him when he flies to Sand Piper Beach to turn over a new leaf. Sun, swimming, exercise, he'll return home a new man, sexy and buff. Best of all, several states away from home and college, no one but his dad knows him, so he can muddle through the challenges of getting fit without friends laughing at him.During his first visit to the fitness center, Tyler meets the sculpted and toned Cody Dawson, fitness instructor and sexy gay man. Not only does Cody help Tyler learn how to use the strength training equipment, but he crashes through Tyler's fantasies and lures him into bed.Just a passing fling, Tyler decides. Cody, after all, could get any number of better looking men without even trying. Besides, the summer doesn't last forever and, too soon, Tyler will return to campus leaving Cody to the ex who wants him back. A summer fling can grow into something more, but it's up to Tyler to recognize if it's true love or just heated summer lust.Publisher's This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find male/male sexual practices.
146 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 16, 2011
2 people are currently reading
101 people want to read
About the author
Pia Veleno
14 books57 followersPia is currently inactive on Goodreads for everything except her personal reading list. For news and updates, please follow her on Twitter (@PiaVeleno) or at www.piaveleno.com
Pia is a dirty girl, but she knows you're naughty too. Tongue in cheek, and everywhere else, Pia spends her time running nowhere, avoiding housework, and randomly quoting Placebo lyrics. Now that others are reading her stories, her husband no longer wonders about her obsession with gay men falling in love.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
August 31, 2011
Vague spoilers here and there. Please approach the review with utmost caution.
I've never tried Pia Veleno's books before (although I have been attracted by that shiny angel cover). Rest assured that I will probably read something of hers again - her main characters are good and the while the plot itself wasn't new, it was enjoyable and kept me interested.
I do have a couple of niggles, though.
The sex was... A bit too much, in my opinion. The story as a whole would have benefited with less sex and more development. Take for example, Alan. I would have enjoyed the book a lot more if we got more history with Alan and Cody - history that didn't just come out of Cody's mouth. I'm not saying flashbacks, more like thoughts from Cody's brain and such. Because of the lack of information regarding Alan and Cody's history, Alan just came off as a very comic villain. I know the reader was supposed to be sympathetic to Tyler and be annoyed at Alan, but if his character was a bit more rounded, he would've come across as merely annoying and not entirely disgraceful.
Hm, also. Now that I've mentioned Cody's point-of-view, I should probably mention that almost the entire book is in Tyler's view, with the occasional shift to Cody's thoughts. I found these parts with Cody's thoughts quite a bit distracting because they felt almost random. The sudden shifts made the book feel a bit disconnected and it would've worked a lot better if there were more scenes in Cody's point-of-view. (Having the book completely in Tyler's point-of-view would've worked, too.)
Despite these qualms, this was a good read. It had a realistic portrayal of self-esteem issues: Tyler didn't magically believe that he was hot just because Cody told him so. And while the attraction was there right from the start, it wasn't insta-love - even for Cody, who admits that he gives his heart easily. Definitely light and something you'd take with you to the beach.
I've never tried Pia Veleno's books before (although I have been attracted by that shiny angel cover). Rest assured that I will probably read something of hers again - her main characters are good and the while the plot itself wasn't new, it was enjoyable and kept me interested.
I do have a couple of niggles, though.
The sex was... A bit too much, in my opinion. The story as a whole would have benefited with less sex and more development. Take for example, Alan. I would have enjoyed the book a lot more if we got more history with Alan and Cody - history that didn't just come out of Cody's mouth. I'm not saying flashbacks, more like thoughts from Cody's brain and such. Because of the lack of information regarding Alan and Cody's history, Alan just came off as a very comic villain. I know the reader was supposed to be sympathetic to Tyler and be annoyed at Alan, but if his character was a bit more rounded, he would've come across as merely annoying and not entirely disgraceful.
Hm, also. Now that I've mentioned Cody's point-of-view, I should probably mention that almost the entire book is in Tyler's view, with the occasional shift to Cody's thoughts. I found these parts with Cody's thoughts quite a bit distracting because they felt almost random. The sudden shifts made the book feel a bit disconnected and it would've worked a lot better if there were more scenes in Cody's point-of-view. (Having the book completely in Tyler's point-of-view would've worked, too.)
Despite these qualms, this was a good read. It had a realistic portrayal of self-esteem issues: Tyler didn't magically believe that he was hot just because Cody told him so. And while the attraction was there right from the start, it wasn't insta-love - even for Cody, who admits that he gives his heart easily. Definitely light and something you'd take with you to the beach.
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August 16, 2011My first Loose Id release!
Warning: May contain hot, hard beach bodies, a sexy guy running shirtless, and that oh so sweet spot where fantasy meets reality.
Warning: May contain hot, hard beach bodies, a sexy guy running shirtless, and that oh so sweet spot where fantasy meets reality.
September 9, 2011
The book was originally reviewed for The Romance Reviewers and can be found here
Anyone who knows me as a reader knows that a 5 star review is not something that I give out very often. A book has to really move me or engross me in order for that to happen and MAKE YOU SWEAT by Pia Veleno did not disappoint. I first read some of Ms Veleno's work when she wrote a story based on a photo prompt in the m/m romance group on goodreads.com and her writing just resonated with me. So when I saw her new book available for review, I jumped on it.
Spending the summer with his dad is just what Tyler was looking for. Its an opportunity for him to spend the summer at the beach, working out – planning to return to school the next year buff and sexy. On his first day at the gym, he meets Cody, a fitness instructor who offers to help him with his summer goals. As the summer progresses, the relationship between Tyler and Cody depends, but will it just turn out to be a case of summer loving or something more?
While I was reading MAKE YOU SWEAT, I had that old song from Grease going through my head, Summer Lovin' and to me it works well with the story. I loved Tyler as a character, the young innocent college boy, and Cody, the old man. This is definitely a book for anyone who likes twinks in their m/m romance, while reading it, I termed it twinkalicious ;) The development of the relationship between Cody and Tyler seemed to be believable and not too rushed like other romances I have read, and the angst towards the end as the summer drew to a close felt real to me. I actually felt sad for them as Tyler was planning on returning to school.
However, like every book, there were some weaknesses or plot difficulties. For me, there were two that were of a minor annoyance, and one of which is Tyler's lack of self-esteem as the summer progressed. There seemed to be an almost woe-is-me moments sprinkled throughout and then there is the cover. I don't know what it is about them, but personally, I really dislike the cartoon-y looking covers. If this book had been written by an author I wasn't familiar with, I probably would have passed it over because of the cover. I guess that just means, I should learn to not judge books by their covers ;)
If she continues the way she has so far, Pia Veleno will very quickly find her way onto my auto-buy pile and I look forward to more by her in the future.
Anyone who knows me as a reader knows that a 5 star review is not something that I give out very often. A book has to really move me or engross me in order for that to happen and MAKE YOU SWEAT by Pia Veleno did not disappoint. I first read some of Ms Veleno's work when she wrote a story based on a photo prompt in the m/m romance group on goodreads.com and her writing just resonated with me. So when I saw her new book available for review, I jumped on it.
Spending the summer with his dad is just what Tyler was looking for. Its an opportunity for him to spend the summer at the beach, working out – planning to return to school the next year buff and sexy. On his first day at the gym, he meets Cody, a fitness instructor who offers to help him with his summer goals. As the summer progresses, the relationship between Tyler and Cody depends, but will it just turn out to be a case of summer loving or something more?
While I was reading MAKE YOU SWEAT, I had that old song from Grease going through my head, Summer Lovin' and to me it works well with the story. I loved Tyler as a character, the young innocent college boy, and Cody, the old man. This is definitely a book for anyone who likes twinks in their m/m romance, while reading it, I termed it twinkalicious ;) The development of the relationship between Cody and Tyler seemed to be believable and not too rushed like other romances I have read, and the angst towards the end as the summer drew to a close felt real to me. I actually felt sad for them as Tyler was planning on returning to school.
However, like every book, there were some weaknesses or plot difficulties. For me, there were two that were of a minor annoyance, and one of which is Tyler's lack of self-esteem as the summer progressed. There seemed to be an almost woe-is-me moments sprinkled throughout and then there is the cover. I don't know what it is about them, but personally, I really dislike the cartoon-y looking covers. If this book had been written by an author I wasn't familiar with, I probably would have passed it over because of the cover. I guess that just means, I should learn to not judge books by their covers ;)
If she continues the way she has so far, Pia Veleno will very quickly find her way onto my auto-buy pile and I look forward to more by her in the future.
October 21, 2011
Sweet and uncomplicated more or less summarize my thoughts after finishing this book.
Tyler and Cody are pretty much attracted to one another on first sight and the relationship takes off quickly. There’s not a lot of heavy angst going on, but there are some conflicts to keep things interesting. Cody’s ex is kind of a pain and there’s an issue with him at the end of the book that felt like it was left unresolved. As for Tyler, he’s got a pretty major self-esteem issue. The issue itself and the way the author made me sympathetic to it felt very realistic, but it did get a little repetitive. Tyler was also closeted with respect to his family until the end, and that brought on some additional conflict.
I felt a little needy at the end of the book because I didn’t quite get the closure I was hoping for. Despite this, there was much to enjoy. A short and sweet summer-time romance story with the hope for an honest to goodness relationship if the boys are willing:)
Tyler and Cody are pretty much attracted to one another on first sight and the relationship takes off quickly. There’s not a lot of heavy angst going on, but there are some conflicts to keep things interesting. Cody’s ex is kind of a pain and there’s an issue with him at the end of the book that felt like it was left unresolved. As for Tyler, he’s got a pretty major self-esteem issue. The issue itself and the way the author made me sympathetic to it felt very realistic, but it did get a little repetitive. Tyler was also closeted with respect to his family until the end, and that brought on some additional conflict.
I felt a little needy at the end of the book because I didn’t quite get the closure I was hoping for. Despite this, there was much to enjoy. A short and sweet summer-time romance story with the hope for an honest to goodness relationship if the boys are willing:)
October 12, 2011
A light simple story of a summer romance with a HFN ending. A touch of angst, a touch of danger, a touch of humor and just a little bit more than a touch of plot between an abundance of sex scenes. An average read from an above average author, so there was nothing wrong with it at all, but I was hoping for more as this author is definitely capable of more...
October 7, 2011
I didn't enjoy Make You Sweat as much as Pia Veleno's other books because the book was completely tension- and plot-free with a HFN ending. It seemed like the whole book was one sex scene after another, interspersed by them having various meals. She can do better than this.
July 7, 2012
So this was a nice way to sit in the shade and fresh air and pass a few hours. Tyler is a college senior, with a self esteem issue and a don't ask don't tell policy in place with his family about his sexuality. He decides to take his last summer before he joins the working world to get in shape at his Dad's in something that sound like a Myrtle Beach type of place. He hopes to get buff and return to college a new man that can finally catch the men he wants. As soon as he arrives he spots a hot guy in the elevator. The next day they meet and begin a summer fling. Despite everything Tyler doesn't believe that Cody could really be interested in him. Cody is pretty determined to prove to Tyler that no matter what he sees in the mirror, Cody likes what he sees.
There is more to the book. There is an ex-lover of Cody's hanging around and Tyler's dad continuing to worry about all the time Tyler is spending with the gay guy from upstairs and him not finding a nice girlfriend. Then the book just sort of ends. There is no real clean ending. As I was reading and we are getting closer to the ending of the book there is new information coming in and I keep wondering how it's going to be resolved in just a few pages. Then answer is it wasn't. I checked the author's website- it seems there is an idea and outline for another book in the series, but as of this review there are other projects to finish. So there isn't a release date or if I'm reading correctly, the writing hasn't even started, so I guess it could be another year before we see a follow up.
I guess at the end of the day I like what was there but I wanted more to feel like i read a complete story. Plus, there was a little too much sex. Meaning I would have traded some of the sex scenes for dialogue scenes that included some more information about the two guys. Also, while the book is mostly from Tyler's POV, suddenly about 3/4 of the was through we start getting Cody's POV in random scenes and it was distracting and sometimes confusing. EIther more from Cody or none would have made following it easier.
Overall I would say that it's a fine read for an summer afternoon. Not to heavy and easy to put down for a dip in the water or to reapply to sunblock.
There is more to the book. There is an ex-lover of Cody's hanging around and Tyler's dad continuing to worry about all the time Tyler is spending with the gay guy from upstairs and him not finding a nice girlfriend. Then the book just sort of ends. There is no real clean ending. As I was reading and we are getting closer to the ending of the book there is new information coming in and I keep wondering how it's going to be resolved in just a few pages. Then answer is it wasn't. I checked the author's website- it seems there is an idea and outline for another book in the series, but as of this review there are other projects to finish. So there isn't a release date or if I'm reading correctly, the writing hasn't even started, so I guess it could be another year before we see a follow up.
I guess at the end of the day I like what was there but I wanted more to feel like i read a complete story. Plus, there was a little too much sex. Meaning I would have traded some of the sex scenes for dialogue scenes that included some more information about the two guys. Also, while the book is mostly from Tyler's POV, suddenly about 3/4 of the was through we start getting Cody's POV in random scenes and it was distracting and sometimes confusing. EIther more from Cody or none would have made following it easier.
Overall I would say that it's a fine read for an summer afternoon. Not to heavy and easy to put down for a dip in the water or to reapply to sunblock.
October 2, 2011
Originally posted at: http://whippedcream2.blogspot.com/201...
This is a book you shouldn’t judge by its cover, meaning the cover for Make You Sweat looks kind of like something you might see on the front of a comic book. This is a book I’m glad I didn’t pass up.
A touching sweet story of young love lay within the pages and had me falling in love with the story and the characters. Tyler Pierce is a college student who has come to spend the summer with his estranged father. He has high hopes of filling out his scrawny thin frame and becoming what he thinks other men find attractive. Tyler is a good guy but his lack of self-confidence has him questioning everything and everyone. He’s a character that most people could identify with and this author did a good job writing about a person’s insecurities that hold them back in life.
Cody Dawson lives in the apartment above Tyler and he takes a quick liking to the newcomer. Cody is dealing with his own issues; a jealous ex-boyfriend that won’t take a hint and trying to find his way through accomplishing his own career aspirations. This is a character who wants to be in a relationship. He believes in love and wants all that goes along with being in love. Cody’s big heart and desire to forgive really endeared him to me.
Tyler and Cody meet in the gym and Cody takes it upon himself to show Tyler the ins and outs of weight training. Besides being extremely attractive he’s also a trainer, so Tyler feels he’s hit his own personal lottery. Tyler is jaded and thinks that a man like Cody would never be interested in him. Within in just a few pages Cody shows Tyler how wrong he is.
A relationship begins but Tyler is only there for the summer so the constant doubts mixed with the inevitable is what stirs the main conflict in this story. Tyler’s constant insecurities about his body put a drain on this relationship but Cody is there to show Tyler he has so much to offer to another person, mainly to Cody.
There are a few conflicts in this story that keep it moving along, carrying the reader page to page. There’s Tyler’s low self-esteem, Cody’s ex-boyfriend trying to win him back, and Tyler still being in the closet regarding his sexual orientation where his family is concerned. This story doesn’t lack in the drama department and is written in a very realistic way that makes it believable.
I was really happy with the resolution of this story but it left me wanting more. These were two characters I became invested in and wanted to see where life takes them. Young love is always a fresh and sweet thing to read about and this story delivered. If you’re a reader who likes to read about the joys and struggles with meeting that first love, this is the story for you.
This is a book you shouldn’t judge by its cover, meaning the cover for Make You Sweat looks kind of like something you might see on the front of a comic book. This is a book I’m glad I didn’t pass up.
A touching sweet story of young love lay within the pages and had me falling in love with the story and the characters. Tyler Pierce is a college student who has come to spend the summer with his estranged father. He has high hopes of filling out his scrawny thin frame and becoming what he thinks other men find attractive. Tyler is a good guy but his lack of self-confidence has him questioning everything and everyone. He’s a character that most people could identify with and this author did a good job writing about a person’s insecurities that hold them back in life.
Cody Dawson lives in the apartment above Tyler and he takes a quick liking to the newcomer. Cody is dealing with his own issues; a jealous ex-boyfriend that won’t take a hint and trying to find his way through accomplishing his own career aspirations. This is a character who wants to be in a relationship. He believes in love and wants all that goes along with being in love. Cody’s big heart and desire to forgive really endeared him to me.
Tyler and Cody meet in the gym and Cody takes it upon himself to show Tyler the ins and outs of weight training. Besides being extremely attractive he’s also a trainer, so Tyler feels he’s hit his own personal lottery. Tyler is jaded and thinks that a man like Cody would never be interested in him. Within in just a few pages Cody shows Tyler how wrong he is.
A relationship begins but Tyler is only there for the summer so the constant doubts mixed with the inevitable is what stirs the main conflict in this story. Tyler’s constant insecurities about his body put a drain on this relationship but Cody is there to show Tyler he has so much to offer to another person, mainly to Cody.
There are a few conflicts in this story that keep it moving along, carrying the reader page to page. There’s Tyler’s low self-esteem, Cody’s ex-boyfriend trying to win him back, and Tyler still being in the closet regarding his sexual orientation where his family is concerned. This story doesn’t lack in the drama department and is written in a very realistic way that makes it believable.
I was really happy with the resolution of this story but it left me wanting more. These were two characters I became invested in and wanted to see where life takes them. Young love is always a fresh and sweet thing to read about and this story delivered. If you’re a reader who likes to read about the joys and struggles with meeting that first love, this is the story for you.
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August 28, 2011So this is one of those books I read and then felt weird about reviewing because I'm with the same publisher, Loose Id, and it seems kind of self-serving in that way. (Other pen name. Long story.) But I always feel weird reading a book and then not saying something about it -- maybe because I'm a writer and I like to know what other writers and readers think about my own stuff. So I'm not gonna rate future Loose Id reviews, but I will talk about them a little because, yeah. That's what goodreads is here for.
Take this book to the beach. It is pretty much quintessential late summer/early fall reading material for back to school -- but can call up that feeling any time of the year. The characters are adorable, but have some interesting little quirks, foibles, and insecurities that make it that much more fun than straight up tooth-rotting cuteness would. Veleno makes you want their happily ever after from the character perspective, and it keeps the pages turning. The conflict is mostly internal, insecurities and family stuff, with the small outsider threat just to make it all gel. That's perfect for a novella of this length.
The one potential drawback I noticed is that some of the dialogue seems to reiterate points that had already been made, but it was in a really natural way -- I mean, I've been there. That's how it ACTUALLY works, and I liked that about it. It's a cute summer read, great fun, and just in time for the best beach weather -- at least, in my book. Cool way to spend the evening.
ETA: I love that the day after I put this review up we got Hurricane Irene. Perhaps NOT the best beach weather. Still, this will make you remember what it's like :D
Take this book to the beach. It is pretty much quintessential late summer/early fall reading material for back to school -- but can call up that feeling any time of the year. The characters are adorable, but have some interesting little quirks, foibles, and insecurities that make it that much more fun than straight up tooth-rotting cuteness would. Veleno makes you want their happily ever after from the character perspective, and it keeps the pages turning. The conflict is mostly internal, insecurities and family stuff, with the small outsider threat just to make it all gel. That's perfect for a novella of this length.
The one potential drawback I noticed is that some of the dialogue seems to reiterate points that had already been made, but it was in a really natural way -- I mean, I've been there. That's how it ACTUALLY works, and I liked that about it. It's a cute summer read, great fun, and just in time for the best beach weather -- at least, in my book. Cool way to spend the evening.
ETA: I love that the day after I put this review up we got Hurricane Irene. Perhaps NOT the best beach weather. Still, this will make you remember what it's like :D
January 15, 2012
Tyler is spending the summer at his dad's place, on the beach. He's hoping to buff over the summer. He's tired of being the scrawny kid people overlook. His first day at the fitness center in the building he meets Cody.
Cody is a hot, sexy, sculpted gay man. Turns out that he's also a fitness instructor. He offers to help Tyler with is quest to get buff.
Tyler is practically drooling over Cody.
Cody invites Tyler to lunch after the workout. One thing leads to another and bow chicka bow wow.
Tyler deals with self esteem issues through out the book. He has a hard time believing Cody would really want him.
They spend a lot of the book in bed. Personally I felt it was a little too much. But other then that it was a good book.
Cody is a hot, sexy, sculpted gay man. Turns out that he's also a fitness instructor. He offers to help Tyler with is quest to get buff.
Tyler is practically drooling over Cody.
Cody invites Tyler to lunch after the workout. One thing leads to another and bow chicka bow wow.
Tyler deals with self esteem issues through out the book. He has a hard time believing Cody would really want him.
They spend a lot of the book in bed. Personally I felt it was a little too much. But other then that it was a good book.
April 26, 2012
I enjoyed this simply story of one young man's search for self-confidence, struggling to make the transition from boyhood to man. With a sexy personal trainer as his accomplice, how he help but succeed? :) I would have liked to cleared up the 'Alan' issue though, and see how Tyler's peers at Uni perceived him upon his return.
August 22, 2011
3.5 Stars "Summer lovin' happens so fast." This is a nice read. A summer fling which quickly become something more. (One small flaw) Some of the dialogue was repetitve/stunted, but overall enjoyable. Recommend.
August 22, 2011
3.5 stars
October 14, 2011
Sweet romance. Cody was sweet, so was Tyler when he was not being insecure. I wanted a little more story, need to know if they really get their HEA.
April 22, 2012
3.5 stars
October 8, 2012
I enjoyed this story of first love but I would love to know what happens the next summer!
July 26, 2013
I enjoyed this one. Was a quick read for me. I'm sure I'll read it again sometime.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews