Jackman

by Penny Brandon

Please note: This book is now part of My Heart's Desire anthology, and can be read online at www.pennybrandon.blogspot.com.au or downloaded at https://www.smashwords.com/books/view... or https://www.payhip.com/pennybrandon

Dear Author,
Mike slowed his pace as he walked by “Jackman” as he liked to call him. The man’s shirt clung to his skin with sweat in the summer heat, highlighting his well-developed muscles. Mike debates buying Jackman a cool soda and chatting him up, but he wasn’t exactly the forward type. The jackhammer stopped and Mike’s heart pounded as Jackman caught him staring. Mike’s breath caught and Jackman gave him a smirk.

This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's 'Love is Always Write' event.This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love is Always Write" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story.

Read the story at the Author's website or here or find it in Love Is Always Write: Volume 5.

Genres: M M Romance, Contemporary, Short Stories, Romance, M M Contemporary, LGBT, Gay

25 pages, ebook

First published May 19, 2012

About the author

Penny is a complete romantic who believes everyone can fall in love if only they’ll open their heart to the possibility, which is why she writes those hot, erotic stories that will always have a happily ever after. However, it doesn’t mean she’ll necessarily make it easy for her men to get there. A lover of things that go bump in the night, Penny’s imagination can sometimes run riot, so magic mirrors and evil dolls are only the beginning.

Reviews

[Exina · Rating 2 out of 5]

The love story of Steve, a sweet hottie with a jackhammer and full of surprises and Mike, a geeky jerk who is quick to judge.



As for the rest, I fully agree with A Girl Has No Name's review .

[The Bursting Bookshelf of a Wallflower · Rating 2 out of 5]

Every day, Mike is passing a construction site on his way to work and he can't stop staring at the extremely hot worker handling the jackhammer. One day, he gets caught staring and he ends up having a date with Steve. I really liked the prompt, but unfortunately I didn't really like the story. Mike was jumping to conclusions all the time and seemed to be a judgemental snob. I couldn't stand him. The message to not judge by the outside before knowing the inside might be good, but the underlying prejudices completely destroyed the meaning off the message. 2 stars for the effort of the auhtor to participate in the M/M Romance Group event.

[Jyanx · Rating 2 out of 5]

Found Mike to be a bit of a judgmental snob. What would have been wrong if Steve was just a construction worker? Would that make him any less intelligent?

[BevS · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another one from the Love is Always Write event 2012. Strange story, but it proves that you shouldn't always jump to conclusions. 3 stars

[Penumbra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I submitted a prompt for the M/M Romance Love is Always Write and it was picked up by Penny Brandon. The prompt was a picture prompt of a man using a jackhammer. Here was my prompt:

Mike slowed his pace as he walked by “Jackman” as he liked to call him. The man’s shirt clung to his skin with sweat in the summer heat, highlighting his well-developed muscles. Mike debates buying Jackman a cool soda and chatting him up, but he wasn’t exactly the forward type. The jackhammer stopped and Mike’s heart pounded as Jackman caught him staring. Mike’s breath caught and Jackman gave him a smirk.




Steve is so sweet and I love his confidence and gentleness. He's the perfect man to reach past Mike's reserve and shatter his erroneous perceptions.

I love that the relationship was not one of those 'instant love' relationships. This was like how a real relationship would start, full of miscommunication and assumptions that need to be smoothed out as the couple get to know each other.

All the surprises that popped up one after the other about Steve kept Mike on his toes and that was one of my favorite parts of the story. I had no idea what Penny would reveal next. The quilting was a big surprise and had me laughing because I've quilted also.

The last surprise was the one where Penny worked in 'Jackman' into their sex life. I loved that they could be so playful together and it was my favorite part of the story.

This was absolutely charming and Penny hit so many of the things I love about M/M romance, I'm so happy with the way she wrote it. Thanks so much Penny! :D

[Wendy❤Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love it when a story throws me a curve ball, and this one threw a huge curve ball in the form of one very big construction guy named Steve. Steve was nearly the opposite of everything you’d expect and seemed like one very human teddy bear – someone to cuddle with! Mike learned to eat a little humble pie when Steve proved all his assumptions about the guy wrong. The proverbial case of “never judge a book by its cover” was the lesson to be relearned in this fun story. Great job – thank you!!

[Audrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute m/m short story with a love interest who's not what he appears to be.

Note: This is a freebie short story from the Goodreads M/M Romance Group's event "Love is Always Write." The story can be found here on the group's discussion board: "Jackman" by Penny Brandon.

[Bubbles Hunty Honest & Direct Opinions · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this one pretty dull. It was kind of jumpy and the reader doesn't really see much. Reader doesn't really get to know either character or anything really. It's free and short so that's good.

I read it like two days before posting this and already can't remember the characters or anything about the story :(

[Mandy*reads obsessively* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story, that just goes to show that you can't judge a book by its cover.

[Monika · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this short! Loved the MC's, loved that it made me laugh, just didn't love that it ended!

[Otterpuss · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was dull. Dull and boring.
I didn't get the attraction between the characters, I had no idea what they saw in each other or particularly why anyone would like Mike who is a judgemental git.

[Kelly (Maybedog) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This isn't what I expected at all from the cover and description. It's a sweet story, although most of it unbelievable for me. Both characters are much more complex then I thought they would be, and I really liked Mike's thoughts and reactions. I like that not everything about Jackman was perfect, and that he was a bit off sometimes. but it started way too fast, I like a bit of story and tension before the MCs get together, and it ended way too abruptly. I felt like a big section was chopped off before the epilogue, an important section.

[Courtney · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just couldn't get into this story. Mike was judgemental and kind of annoying. The chemistry wasn't there either. They didn't even really get along, but after Mike realizes they have one thing in common, he's practically in love. I also thought it was a little creepy that Steve made a quilt for his eyes after one crappy date. I didn't like the time jump either. I can see other people enjoying this story, but it just wasn't for me.

[Melanie~~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished Jackman. I thought it was adorable. I keep picturing a smallish man with a giant of a construction worker. The juxtoposition give me such a warm fuzzy feeling. Just like the juxtoposition of Steve's huge size and gentle, affectionate manner.

Even though this is a pretty short story, there is still a little conflict amongst the fluff.

4 stars easily.

[Bookbee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet short story that proves "Never judge a book by it's cover." and "First impressions are important, but everyone deserves a second chance."

[Adara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some assumptions are false. Take care to get to know the inside before you judge by the outside. That's what you'll find in this story. Very sweet. =)

[Usagi Tsukino · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good short story. As the saying goes, "never judge a book from its cover". So, yeah, I liked that Steve wasn't stereotyped. :)

[m. ✨ On Hiatus ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very sweet story about two opposites who find love. Steve was a total sweetheart and Mike learned a valuable lesson: don't judge a book by its cover.

[Cecilia Rodriguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very sweet story. Steve was such a sweetheart.

[Pamela Su · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute short story. It's a definite quickie story and the pacing is fast. There's not enough time to really get to know the characters but it's a nice, quick way to spend the time reading anyway.

[Furio · Rating 2 out of 5]

This short erotica is based on a potentially good idea but it is hurried, it features one unlikeable lead and it sports quite the number of stereotypes about gay men.
Not my thing, really.

[Shirley (Secret Squirrel) · Rating 2 out of 5]

This felt like less than a chapter without much too it. Would have been great if were longer

[Sandra]

Offered for FREE from the M/M Romance Group, Love Is Always Write: Volume Five.

[Arlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

It occurred to me as an afterthought when I finished the book, that I love the title now that I understand it's reference. An odd couple who proves the idiom "You can't judge a book by it's cover". Misleading first impressions and miscommunications almost derail this relationship before it starts....which would have been a real disappointment as it turned out to be just what the two young protagonists needed.

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the characters but I found some of their interaction confusing and the plot a little odd. I loved the beginning but then the strange date nights etc was a bit off putting - I would have preferred something more simple.

[Miriki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved how things turned out different than the first impression. Too bad it's short and the good stuffs were left out.

[SueM · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Tamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the characters but I was confused when Mickey kept thinking how confident "Jackman" was, even though he kept making wrong moves, forgetting the time, etc.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute story.

[Nic]

Love is Always Write - Volume 5