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Book Fair
Jacob's time working a booth for a gay lit publisher at a huge New York City book convention isn't turning out like he hoped. One of the publisher's boxes goes missing, and when he finds it, the box is wrapped up in union red tape. Then he gets into a nasty debate with Toni, a hunk Jacob would rather stare at than argue with.
Maybe his first day at the book fair couldn’t get worse, but it certainly gets weirder when, after an hour-long snarling match, Toni offers Jacob a ride to his hotel. Jacob accepts, but his day does not improve—the ride is nothing but awkward silence.
Over the rest of the week, Jacob’s life disintegrates, and Toni’s repeated offers to drive him to his hotel become bright spots. Silence turns to civility turns to friendship, and though Jacob hopes for more, work keeps the two of them from spending much time together. Finally Jacob is free of obligations—but suddenly he can't find Toni anywhere, and Jacob’s time in New York is coming to a close.
Maybe his first day at the book fair couldn’t get worse, but it certainly gets weirder when, after an hour-long snarling match, Toni offers Jacob a ride to his hotel. Jacob accepts, but his day does not improve—the ride is nothing but awkward silence.
Over the rest of the week, Jacob’s life disintegrates, and Toni’s repeated offers to drive him to his hotel become bright spots. Silence turns to civility turns to friendship, and though Jacob hopes for more, work keeps the two of them from spending much time together. Finally Jacob is free of obligations—but suddenly he can't find Toni anywhere, and Jacob’s time in New York is coming to a close.
200 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2013
4 people are currently reading
154 people want to read
About the author
Michael Murphy
25 books126 followersWho am I? One of these days I need to decided what I want to be when I grow up.
I am a middle-aged man, born in the far reaches of upstate New York - parts that give the word "rural" meaning. Now I live in Washington, DC.
When one of those milestone birthdays hit me and scared the crap out of me, I realized there were more years behind me than there were in front of me. My mortality hit me like someone dropping a load of bricks on me.
With that realization, I constructed a bucket list of things I absolutely had to do in the years (hopefully many) that I have left. Writing a book was one of them and was near the top.
My biggest influences when growing up were my two grandmothers. Both were ferociously strong women who were widowed way too young and had to pick up the shattered pieces of their lives and try to put them back together again. And they did! They were incredible women and I adored them both.
These women loved to read and to tell stories, so it just always seemed a natural thing for me to want to do the same. One Christmas when I had a break from work for a few days I had an idea - just a simple single flash of an idea. I sat down at my computer and typed out the one sentence idea. And then I thought for a moment. And then I started typing again - and like magic this story started to pour out of me. I was amazed, in awe, floored by what was happening.
It was like the characters were coming to life and telling their story and I was just tagging along for the ride. I typed as fast as my fingers would fly across the keys (one of the 17 jobs I had while I was going to college was typist, so I'm a pretty fast typist). I couldn't wait to see what happened next. It was the most amazing experience I think I've ever had. Okay, maybe not THE most amazing, but it ranks right up there near the top.
My boyfriend finally came to me a couple of days into this,sat down, looked so serious, and asked, "Are you mad at me?" I assured him that no, I was not mad; I had just been kidnapped by my two characters who refused to let me go. He sort of believed me. When I handed him a printout of the entire book he really believed me, although he wasn't all that thrilled about the book. What can I say, he is a biomedical scientist who primarily reads non-fiction. The fact that I got him to read any fiction was a huge step.
I sent my finished book to Dreamspinner Press. Much to my shock and surprise they accepted it. Out of the hundreds of unsolicited manuscripts that they receive every year they only accept a tiny fraction from new, unknown authors - and I was part of that tiny fraction.
When I got the news I was riding on the subway to work one morning. I screamed and hugged the man sitting next to me - I don't have a clue who he was and I'm sure I scared the crap out of him, even though I tried to explain why I was so happy. When I got to work, a co-worker joined me in doing a happy dance.
Once I started writing the spirit of my departed grandmothers started taking over and story after story started to come out. Dreamspinner and Harmony Ink Press have published a total of eight books so far, with the next one due out in a few weeks. Three additional books are under contract, scheduled to appear in the months ahead.
When I'm not writing, I'm editing and proofing, proofing and editing. When not doing that I work for a small organization in downtown DC located a few hundred yards from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. My work is primarily IT project management which can be thrilling and at other times drive me to distraction.
All in all, I'd rather be writing. If people keep buying my books in the same way they have I might actually be able to consider that as an option. Oh, please! Oh, please! Oh, please!
I am a middle-aged man, born in the far reaches of upstate New York - parts that give the word "rural" meaning. Now I live in Washington, DC.
When one of those milestone birthdays hit me and scared the crap out of me, I realized there were more years behind me than there were in front of me. My mortality hit me like someone dropping a load of bricks on me.
With that realization, I constructed a bucket list of things I absolutely had to do in the years (hopefully many) that I have left. Writing a book was one of them and was near the top.
My biggest influences when growing up were my two grandmothers. Both were ferociously strong women who were widowed way too young and had to pick up the shattered pieces of their lives and try to put them back together again. And they did! They were incredible women and I adored them both.
These women loved to read and to tell stories, so it just always seemed a natural thing for me to want to do the same. One Christmas when I had a break from work for a few days I had an idea - just a simple single flash of an idea. I sat down at my computer and typed out the one sentence idea. And then I thought for a moment. And then I started typing again - and like magic this story started to pour out of me. I was amazed, in awe, floored by what was happening.
It was like the characters were coming to life and telling their story and I was just tagging along for the ride. I typed as fast as my fingers would fly across the keys (one of the 17 jobs I had while I was going to college was typist, so I'm a pretty fast typist). I couldn't wait to see what happened next. It was the most amazing experience I think I've ever had. Okay, maybe not THE most amazing, but it ranks right up there near the top.
My boyfriend finally came to me a couple of days into this,sat down, looked so serious, and asked, "Are you mad at me?" I assured him that no, I was not mad; I had just been kidnapped by my two characters who refused to let me go. He sort of believed me. When I handed him a printout of the entire book he really believed me, although he wasn't all that thrilled about the book. What can I say, he is a biomedical scientist who primarily reads non-fiction. The fact that I got him to read any fiction was a huge step.
I sent my finished book to Dreamspinner Press. Much to my shock and surprise they accepted it. Out of the hundreds of unsolicited manuscripts that they receive every year they only accept a tiny fraction from new, unknown authors - and I was part of that tiny fraction.
When I got the news I was riding on the subway to work one morning. I screamed and hugged the man sitting next to me - I don't have a clue who he was and I'm sure I scared the crap out of him, even though I tried to explain why I was so happy. When I got to work, a co-worker joined me in doing a happy dance.
Once I started writing the spirit of my departed grandmothers started taking over and story after story started to come out. Dreamspinner and Harmony Ink Press have published a total of eight books so far, with the next one due out in a few weeks. Three additional books are under contract, scheduled to appear in the months ahead.
When I'm not writing, I'm editing and proofing, proofing and editing. When not doing that I work for a small organization in downtown DC located a few hundred yards from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. My work is primarily IT project management which can be thrilling and at other times drive me to distraction.
All in all, I'd rather be writing. If people keep buying my books in the same way they have I might actually be able to consider that as an option. Oh, please! Oh, please! Oh, please!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
May 19, 2013
I've been sucker punched. I had taken a break from reading M/M books after getting burned out on the lousy writing that seems to be so prevalent. A big project at work taking up way too much time, a long distance boyfriend taking up a lot of time (in a good way of course), and great weather making me want to be a lizard and laze around in whatever free time remained all conspired to help keep me away from the land of make believe that is Dreamspinner Press et al. But like a dumb blonde in a horror movie, I couldn't resist opening the front door when the boogeyman rang the bell. I was bored last night, knew I was going to have free time today, and found myself browsing through Goodreads to see if there was anything new that might tempt me. And somehow I stumbled on "Book Fair." Glowing reviews? Check. Written by an actual man and not a woman or a woman disguised as a man? Check. Cute premise with possibilities? Check. Here's my $5.38, Amazon.
SUCKER PUNCH.
The fastest case of insta-love I've ever seen. So fast, in fact, they don't even know each other's last names. Toni doesn't know what city Jacob lives in. Yet they know they are absolutely made for each other, they complete each other, how will my life go on without him...etc. Claptrap, I say. Throw in the most ridiculously inappropriate mother I have ever come across in a book. Some found her oh so funny. I think she's creepy. Honestly, if on a first date your date's mother tells you:
1) her son is circumcised;
2) he is a bottom;
3) he gives great head;
4) and best of all, she gives great head too, that's how she kept her husband happy;
would you not run screaming? Maybe call the department of family and children services?
Also, in the first conversation Jacob and Toni have, Toni makes a joke about Jacob wanting to bend Toni over his knee and spank him. Considering what is revealed later in the story of Toni's past with Marco, this remark is WAY out of character.
I'm tired and cranky now. I could go into the stilted dialogue, the fixation of all the characters on Toni's ass, the strange twist about seventy-five percent of the way through (what was the point? it had no effect on the plot at all), the epilogue to end all epilogues...I just don't want to pile on. Obviously other people enjoyed it. Heck, other people LOVED it. *shrug* From now on, when the bell rings, I'm telling the killer at the door this dumb blonde isn't falling for his schtick again.
SUCKER PUNCH.
The fastest case of insta-love I've ever seen. So fast, in fact, they don't even know each other's last names. Toni doesn't know what city Jacob lives in. Yet they know they are absolutely made for each other, they complete each other, how will my life go on without him...etc. Claptrap, I say. Throw in the most ridiculously inappropriate mother I have ever come across in a book. Some found her oh so funny. I think she's creepy. Honestly, if on a first date your date's mother tells you:
1) her son is circumcised;
2) he is a bottom;
3) he gives great head;
4) and best of all, she gives great head too, that's how she kept her husband happy;
would you not run screaming? Maybe call the department of family and children services?
Also, in the first conversation Jacob and Toni have, Toni makes a joke about Jacob wanting to bend Toni over his knee and spank him. Considering what is revealed later in the story of Toni's past with Marco, this remark is WAY out of character.
I'm tired and cranky now. I could go into the stilted dialogue, the fixation of all the characters on Toni's ass, the strange twist about seventy-five percent of the way through (what was the point? it had no effect on the plot at all), the epilogue to end all epilogues...I just don't want to pile on. Obviously other people enjoyed it. Heck, other people LOVED it. *shrug* From now on, when the bell rings, I'm telling the killer at the door this dumb blonde isn't falling for his schtick again.
February 10, 2013
I smiled the whole way through. LOVED it.
March 21, 2013
3.5 stars
This is a very sweet story. Totally unrealistic (in many ways) so you have to go into it suspending belief. The two main characters (Jacob and Toni) are adorable and Toni's strong Italian mother is a blast. The first half had me cracking up. The second, while good, had me shaking my head a bit. The mother's humorous meddling got to be a bit much toward the end but I was still able to laugh.
Overall, a nice and sweet love story. My only real issue would be the excessive use of exclamation points throughout. Otherwise, an entertaining read.
This is a very sweet story. Totally unrealistic (in many ways) so you have to go into it suspending belief. The two main characters (Jacob and Toni) are adorable and Toni's strong Italian mother is a blast. The first half had me cracking up. The second, while good, had me shaking my head a bit. The mother's humorous meddling got to be a bit much toward the end but I was still able to laugh.
Overall, a nice and sweet love story. My only real issue would be the excessive use of exclamation points throughout. Otherwise, an entertaining read.
February 22, 2013
I loved this book. Toni's mama was a hoot and the two main characters were meant for each other. A very sweet, happy story. I think I'll read it again before I put it back on the shelf.
May 25, 2013
For those who have never read this author's work, you are in for a pleasant surprise. Mr. Murphy has a special way with dialogue -- it is almost as though the reader is overhearing a conversation that is taking place right next to you.
This story is about the development of a relationship between Jacob (a publisher's assistant at a gay publishing house) and Toni (who we think is employed at an exposition location like the Jacob Javits Center in NYC. The reader finally determines that appearances are deceiving when trying to analyze Toni's line of work.).
In the background to their budding relationship is Toni's close ties to his Italian family and his mother, Anna. Anna is a delightfully developed character who is the stereotypical Italian mother. (As I was reading the story, I could not resist comparing her to Olympia Dukakis in Moonstruck.)
This is a love found, love lost, love found story. The characters are richly developed, and thoroughly believable. Since I was involve in a long term relationship with an "Italian family" (when you fall in love with one of the members, you also get all of the rest of the family), I can tell you that the author has hit everything precisely on the mark.
The story is refreshing, believable, and well worth reading. The characters have some hidden issues (for example, Jacob's relationship with his family is never developed at all). I like the two main characters and the Italian mother enough to want to read more about them in a sequel if one was proffered by the author.
Mr. Murphy has not disappointed in this most recent work -- five out of five stars for this delightful work.
This story is about the development of a relationship between Jacob (a publisher's assistant at a gay publishing house) and Toni (who we think is employed at an exposition location like the Jacob Javits Center in NYC. The reader finally determines that appearances are deceiving when trying to analyze Toni's line of work.).
In the background to their budding relationship is Toni's close ties to his Italian family and his mother, Anna. Anna is a delightfully developed character who is the stereotypical Italian mother. (As I was reading the story, I could not resist comparing her to Olympia Dukakis in Moonstruck.)
This is a love found, love lost, love found story. The characters are richly developed, and thoroughly believable. Since I was involve in a long term relationship with an "Italian family" (when you fall in love with one of the members, you also get all of the rest of the family), I can tell you that the author has hit everything precisely on the mark.
The story is refreshing, believable, and well worth reading. The characters have some hidden issues (for example, Jacob's relationship with his family is never developed at all). I like the two main characters and the Italian mother enough to want to read more about them in a sequel if one was proffered by the author.
Mr. Murphy has not disappointed in this most recent work -- five out of five stars for this delightful work.
December 8, 2014
2.5 Stars
I think I have to throw that up there. I didn't buy this, like AT ALL. Insta-Love not at its finest. I am normally a sucker for insta-love, too. I honestly didn't like Toni's mom. She was annoying, but then there were times when she was super sweet and I DID like her. Sarah was a bitch. Both Toni and Jacob were TSTL. Seriously. 'How can he ever love me? I'm a Neanderthal.' 'How can he ever love me? I'm a coward?' It got kind of old after a bit.
Whatever, it was still an okay read for a Tuesday morning :)
I think I have to throw that up there. I didn't buy this, like AT ALL. Insta-Love not at its finest. I am normally a sucker for insta-love, too. I honestly didn't like Toni's mom. She was annoying, but then there were times when she was super sweet and I DID like her. Sarah was a bitch. Both Toni and Jacob were TSTL. Seriously. 'How can he ever love me? I'm a Neanderthal.' 'How can he ever love me? I'm a coward?' It got kind of old after a bit.
Whatever, it was still an okay read for a Tuesday morning :)
May 27, 2014
I don't think I read the same book as everyone else. I rarely even give reviews, let alone negative ones but this was just terrible. If you pay attention, they fail to tell each other their first names before starting to basically date. They have a minor issue and of course "It's all my fault" MC One says, "Oh no It's all my fault, I'm so sorry" MC Two says and they both start crying. Sorry I have never met a single person in my life that acts like that. It was very unbelievable.
February 24, 2013
2.5
I like my quirky characters and storylines but this didn't work for me.
I like my quirky characters and storylines but this didn't work for me.
March 7, 2013
2.75 Stars. Review Originally Published Here: http://joyfullyjay.com/2013/03/review...
Jacob is at a huge New York book convention and running a booth for his job with an independent publisher of gay literature. The first tiring day of set-up is almost complete until he realizes he’s missing a box full of things he needs for tomorrow’s customers. In an effort to expedite the process, he tries to procure the box himself, but is told by a grumpy yet extremely attractive worker that he has to wait for someone to deliver it. This process is frustrating and long and ends with another argument with the hot box man that goes much later into the night than he expected. Since he’s basically forced to walk through the city to get to his hotel, Jacob’s annoyed but relieved when Toni, the man he’s grown to despise, offers to give him a ride.
Little is said, but the next evening the same thing happens. Jacob is forced to cover for his mysteriously absent boss and ends up staying at the conference until late. This time, when Toni picks him up, he takes him to a restaurant, owned by his Italian mother, who wants nothing more than to feed Jacob and set him up with her son. The food is amazing, the company much better than he ever imagined, and the two (with help from mama) set up a date for the next evening.
Jacob’s only in town for a few days for the convention, but he and Toni are inseparable during this time. Jacob is grateful for Toni’s support while he deals with some unexpected and unwelcome issues that arise with his employer. Toni, in turn, is happy to have found someone so much better than his ex, who turns out to be extremely bad news. The beginning of this relationship is a crazy roller coaster ride, but they hold on to each other and the rapidly growing love between them.
I thought Book Fair sounded like a fun idea for a book and a great setting for a budding romance. Maybe it was the thought of being surrounded by all of those books that immediately conjures amorous feelings, but I looked forward to seeing a relationship develop at a book convention.
I also thought the characters were confident and strong. I liked that they spoke their minds, and I especially appreciated that there wasn’t any hemming and hawing over one’s sexuality. There was very little angst involved in this regard, and I appreciated the depiction of a loving, supportive family. Toni’s mama, in particular, was a character in every sense of the word. While I do think she was a bit too over-the-top, I loved her devotion to her son and her unconditional acceptance and love of him.
The biggest problem I had with Book Fair is that there was very little story here. I think it could’ve made an excellent short story, no longer than 50 pages. Since Jacob and Toni meet and within two days are declaring their love for each other (yes, it’s insta-love), there’s not much buildup there. So it’s a lot of tedious, monotonous description of every minute of the day, which was insubstantial, and its only purpose was to serve as filler between the few things that happened in this book.
Can we talk about the insta-love a second? I love a good, immediate connection between characters, but these two were ready to live their happily ever after within about 24 hours of meeting, before they knew anything about each other. In fact, the major conflict of the book is based upon the fact that Toni does not know Jacob’s last name! It’s just so unrealistic and too idealistic for me. And once the I love you’s started flying within days of laying eyes upon each other, it was difficult to keep my eyes from rolling.
This book felt contrived to me, not only with the insta-love but especially with the major conflict in the book. How hard is it to pick up the phone and communicate? I get tired of the insecurity and the wrong assumptions that lead to an unrealistic separation between the two main characters. And then, when Toni needs to go after his man, he has no idea which city he lives in or how to contact him, even though he “loves” him. It just wasn’t a story I could connect to, and therefore had a really hard time caring about the characters or their future.
This was amateurish writing that led nowhere. I cannot recommend it. I have, however, read many great reviews from people who loved this book, so you don’t have to listen to me. Maybe you’ll enjoy it much more than I did.
Jacob is at a huge New York book convention and running a booth for his job with an independent publisher of gay literature. The first tiring day of set-up is almost complete until he realizes he’s missing a box full of things he needs for tomorrow’s customers. In an effort to expedite the process, he tries to procure the box himself, but is told by a grumpy yet extremely attractive worker that he has to wait for someone to deliver it. This process is frustrating and long and ends with another argument with the hot box man that goes much later into the night than he expected. Since he’s basically forced to walk through the city to get to his hotel, Jacob’s annoyed but relieved when Toni, the man he’s grown to despise, offers to give him a ride.
Little is said, but the next evening the same thing happens. Jacob is forced to cover for his mysteriously absent boss and ends up staying at the conference until late. This time, when Toni picks him up, he takes him to a restaurant, owned by his Italian mother, who wants nothing more than to feed Jacob and set him up with her son. The food is amazing, the company much better than he ever imagined, and the two (with help from mama) set up a date for the next evening.
Jacob’s only in town for a few days for the convention, but he and Toni are inseparable during this time. Jacob is grateful for Toni’s support while he deals with some unexpected and unwelcome issues that arise with his employer. Toni, in turn, is happy to have found someone so much better than his ex, who turns out to be extremely bad news. The beginning of this relationship is a crazy roller coaster ride, but they hold on to each other and the rapidly growing love between them.
I thought Book Fair sounded like a fun idea for a book and a great setting for a budding romance. Maybe it was the thought of being surrounded by all of those books that immediately conjures amorous feelings, but I looked forward to seeing a relationship develop at a book convention.
I also thought the characters were confident and strong. I liked that they spoke their minds, and I especially appreciated that there wasn’t any hemming and hawing over one’s sexuality. There was very little angst involved in this regard, and I appreciated the depiction of a loving, supportive family. Toni’s mama, in particular, was a character in every sense of the word. While I do think she was a bit too over-the-top, I loved her devotion to her son and her unconditional acceptance and love of him.
The biggest problem I had with Book Fair is that there was very little story here. I think it could’ve made an excellent short story, no longer than 50 pages. Since Jacob and Toni meet and within two days are declaring their love for each other (yes, it’s insta-love), there’s not much buildup there. So it’s a lot of tedious, monotonous description of every minute of the day, which was insubstantial, and its only purpose was to serve as filler between the few things that happened in this book.
Can we talk about the insta-love a second? I love a good, immediate connection between characters, but these two were ready to live their happily ever after within about 24 hours of meeting, before they knew anything about each other. In fact, the major conflict of the book is based upon the fact that Toni does not know Jacob’s last name! It’s just so unrealistic and too idealistic for me. And once the I love you’s started flying within days of laying eyes upon each other, it was difficult to keep my eyes from rolling.
This book felt contrived to me, not only with the insta-love but especially with the major conflict in the book. How hard is it to pick up the phone and communicate? I get tired of the insecurity and the wrong assumptions that lead to an unrealistic separation between the two main characters. And then, when Toni needs to go after his man, he has no idea which city he lives in or how to contact him, even though he “loves” him. It just wasn’t a story I could connect to, and therefore had a really hard time caring about the characters or their future.
This was amateurish writing that led nowhere. I cannot recommend it. I have, however, read many great reviews from people who loved this book, so you don’t have to listen to me. Maybe you’ll enjoy it much more than I did.
August 3, 2013
I waffled between 1 and 2 stars. I ultimately gave it two, because the first half of the book was reasonably decent. Two guys meet, get off on the wrong foot, then flirt their way closer, with the help of heaps of Italian food.
And then everything goes sideways, both with their relationship and the writing.
So, In no particular order (though I've tried to put the spoilery bits at the end )
This author has a very "telling" (rather than "showing") style of writing. The intensity of it comes and goes, but you're more likely to get told flat out "Jacob was exhausted" rather than have that demonstrated. Multiplied over the entire book, that gets frustrating.
This book contains insta-love. To the point where, after less than 5 days of knowing someone, of never having a date that didn't include Toni's mother, or one of them working, they were declaring each other "the one," and each willing to move cross country. How does Toni know he's not ending up with another Marco? The Reader knows because the author tells us, but Toni sure as hell doesn't. This type of love is not my cup of tea.
There was some point of view weirdness. The first half of the book is from Jacob's POV. Then, at about the halfway point, we suddenly get Toni's POV. But we don't stay there, we keep bouncing back and forth. It seemed to me that it was done merely to ramp up the angst by showing us both characters suffering instead of just one.
** Spoilers Below **
I don't like stupid characters, and I don't like plot decisions made for the sake of angst.
Sarah is stupid. After 2 days of deliberation, without making sure her only (and slavishly loyal) employee will be taken care of, she sells her pride-and-joy, sweat-and tears company to a complete unknown, in the middle of their busiest convention. And the buyer guy essentially says to her "I don't care about the money we could make, I want figures, now." If that wasn't a red flag, then she's either not the business woman the narrative makes her out to be, or she got handed the Idiot Ball for the purpose of the plot.
Mr. New Owner guy is also stupid. We are told that "[Jacob] was 50 percent of the publishing staff of this small niche gay publishing house." (Kindle vers, loc 2318) It's stated that it was only two years old. (Kindle vers 2480.) So why is this guy willing to pay $1.5 million dollars for their customer list? No, that figure is not in the narrative, but Sarah tells Jacob she'll never have to work again (Kindle loc 922).
Let's think about that: We're not given Sarah's age, but it's reasonable to think she's in her early 30's. If she lives another 50 years, at $30,000 a year (which is not an overly generous amount), that would be $1.5 million dollars. That is a LOT to pay if you're going to ditch all of the assets (which you have just paid for) simply to spam their customer list with poorly written crap, and you know it. Again, the Idiot Ball got passed around for the sake of Plot.
While the author at least set up the impending sale, we are later blindsided by the fact that Antonio is a doctor (wow, that came out of nowhere,) and that he had an abusive relationship at the hands of a former boyfriend. That he tells Jacob about in detail after knowing him less than a week. (See "insta-love" complaint above.)
Since we already have the stereotypical Italian family, what happened to the stereotypical Italian macho-ness, where willingly & openly confessing your feelings would happen after pigs flew? (I didn't mind Antonio's family too much, but ye gods do they overshare.)
I think much of my disappointment comes in the decent first half, and the utter falling apart and stupidness of the 2nd half. Both MCs get so caught up in THEMSELVES that they fail to try and see the situation from the other person's perspective and jet off into the sunset blaming themselves and willing to throw away their True Love. So now we have that male-lack-of-communication, but only because it allows MOAR ANGST. Again, the characters are idiots for the sake of the plot. This is a situation which could have easily been avoided if they had merely exchanged phone numbers, and seriously, who wouldn't have after 3 dates?
Final thoughts: A promising first half devolves into a fracking mess of a second half, with just a hint of self-insertion and revenge fantasy to cap things off. (Also: Jacob has a bladder of STEEL. STEEL, I tell you.)
And then everything goes sideways, both with their relationship and the writing.
So, In no particular order (though I've tried to put the spoilery bits at the end )
This author has a very "telling" (rather than "showing") style of writing. The intensity of it comes and goes, but you're more likely to get told flat out "Jacob was exhausted" rather than have that demonstrated. Multiplied over the entire book, that gets frustrating.
This book contains insta-love. To the point where, after less than 5 days of knowing someone, of never having a date that didn't include Toni's mother, or one of them working, they were declaring each other "the one," and each willing to move cross country. How does Toni know he's not ending up with another Marco? The Reader knows because the author tells us, but Toni sure as hell doesn't. This type of love is not my cup of tea.
There was some point of view weirdness. The first half of the book is from Jacob's POV. Then, at about the halfway point, we suddenly get Toni's POV. But we don't stay there, we keep bouncing back and forth. It seemed to me that it was done merely to ramp up the angst by showing us both characters suffering instead of just one.
** Spoilers Below **
I don't like stupid characters, and I don't like plot decisions made for the sake of angst.
Sarah is stupid. After 2 days of deliberation, without making sure her only (and slavishly loyal) employee will be taken care of, she sells her pride-and-joy, sweat-and tears company to a complete unknown, in the middle of their busiest convention. And the buyer guy essentially says to her "I don't care about the money we could make, I want figures, now." If that wasn't a red flag, then she's either not the business woman the narrative makes her out to be, or she got handed the Idiot Ball for the purpose of the plot.
Mr. New Owner guy is also stupid. We are told that "[Jacob] was 50 percent of the publishing staff of this small niche gay publishing house." (Kindle vers, loc 2318) It's stated that it was only two years old. (Kindle vers 2480.) So why is this guy willing to pay $1.5 million dollars for their customer list? No, that figure is not in the narrative, but Sarah tells Jacob she'll never have to work again (Kindle loc 922).
Let's think about that: We're not given Sarah's age, but it's reasonable to think she's in her early 30's. If she lives another 50 years, at $30,000 a year (which is not an overly generous amount), that would be $1.5 million dollars. That is a LOT to pay if you're going to ditch all of the assets (which you have just paid for) simply to spam their customer list with poorly written crap, and you know it. Again, the Idiot Ball got passed around for the sake of Plot.
While the author at least set up the impending sale, we are later blindsided by the fact that Antonio is a doctor (wow, that came out of nowhere,) and that he had an abusive relationship at the hands of a former boyfriend. That he tells Jacob about in detail after knowing him less than a week. (See "insta-love" complaint above.)
Since we already have the stereotypical Italian family, what happened to the stereotypical Italian macho-ness, where willingly & openly confessing your feelings would happen after pigs flew? (I didn't mind Antonio's family too much, but ye gods do they overshare.)
I think much of my disappointment comes in the decent first half, and the utter falling apart and stupidness of the 2nd half. Both MCs get so caught up in THEMSELVES that they fail to try and see the situation from the other person's perspective and jet off into the sunset blaming themselves and willing to throw away their True Love. So now we have that male-lack-of-communication, but only because it allows MOAR ANGST. Again, the characters are idiots for the sake of the plot. This is a situation which could have easily been avoided if they had merely exchanged phone numbers, and seriously, who wouldn't have after 3 dates?
Final thoughts: A promising first half devolves into a fracking mess of a second half, with just a hint of self-insertion and revenge fantasy to cap things off. (Also: Jacob has a bladder of STEEL. STEEL, I tell you.)
March 6, 2013
What can I say… sometimes I’m in the mood for a light, fun read. That’s what I was looking for, and that’s exactly what I got with Book Fair. It isn't amazingly well-written and it doesn't have the greatest characters ever, but what it does have is something a lot of books lack. It’s fun, it’s entertaining, and it’s good… really good.
It starts out with Jacob trying to set up his booth for the book fair. It’s been a long day and Jacob is getting tired of waiting around for his final box to be delivered. He goes searching for the box and ends up getting into an argument with one of the guys working at the convention center, Toni. They have a heated confrontation, which ends up accomplishing nothing other than leaving them both pissed off. I think most of us have been in a similar situation and can sympathize with Jacob’s frustration. For me it was an instant connection with the characters, so I was pulled in and engaged after a few pages.
Jacob and Toni realize they had let a bad day push them into behavior which was embarrassing to both of them. A mutual apology is the start of an unexpected friendship. After yet another long day of work, Jacob’s hunger and desperation lead them to Toni’s family restaurant, where we meet Toni’s mother. She is an over the top stereotype of a meddling Italian mother. She forces homemade meals on everyone she loves, she manipulates her kids into doing exactly what she wants, and they all fear her and adore her at the same time. What I love most about her is that her mouth has no filter. She is constantly embarrassing Toni by making inappropriate comments. She cracked me up.
In case I wasn't clear enough before, I’m going to say it again. Book Fair is not a literary masterpiece. The characters are sometimes too dramatic and their difficulties were worked out a little too perfectly. But you know what… I can overlook that because it was fun and entertaining the entire time. The characters are adorable. The strength of familial bonds, while a major source of humor, are also comforting. I even liked the behind the scenes look at working for a small gay romance publisher. Book Fair is quirky and corny at times, but in a way that also adds to its appeal. If you want a fun, romantic read that will make you laugh and leave you smiling, then this book is a great choice.
It starts out with Jacob trying to set up his booth for the book fair. It’s been a long day and Jacob is getting tired of waiting around for his final box to be delivered. He goes searching for the box and ends up getting into an argument with one of the guys working at the convention center, Toni. They have a heated confrontation, which ends up accomplishing nothing other than leaving them both pissed off. I think most of us have been in a similar situation and can sympathize with Jacob’s frustration. For me it was an instant connection with the characters, so I was pulled in and engaged after a few pages.
Jacob and Toni realize they had let a bad day push them into behavior which was embarrassing to both of them. A mutual apology is the start of an unexpected friendship. After yet another long day of work, Jacob’s hunger and desperation lead them to Toni’s family restaurant, where we meet Toni’s mother. She is an over the top stereotype of a meddling Italian mother. She forces homemade meals on everyone she loves, she manipulates her kids into doing exactly what she wants, and they all fear her and adore her at the same time. What I love most about her is that her mouth has no filter. She is constantly embarrassing Toni by making inappropriate comments. She cracked me up.
In case I wasn't clear enough before, I’m going to say it again. Book Fair is not a literary masterpiece. The characters are sometimes too dramatic and their difficulties were worked out a little too perfectly. But you know what… I can overlook that because it was fun and entertaining the entire time. The characters are adorable. The strength of familial bonds, while a major source of humor, are also comforting. I even liked the behind the scenes look at working for a small gay romance publisher. Book Fair is quirky and corny at times, but in a way that also adds to its appeal. If you want a fun, romantic read that will make you laugh and leave you smiling, then this book is a great choice.
February 11, 2013
4 1/2 - 5 Hearts
Review written for MM Good Book Reviews
http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/
Jacob is working the booth for a gay lit publisher at a book convention, just when he thinks his day is about to end a missing box and union rules tie him up in knots, and the person in charge of delivering the stock might be a hunk, but he is also a pain in the butt. Toni has had a bad day but to make up for the mix-up in delivery he offers Jacob a lift, and the two begin an interesting friendship.
This is one of the easiest, funniest and sweetest stories I have ever read, I didn’t want it to end. Jacob works for a very small publishing firm, so small in fact there are only him and his boss. Working a convention is something he enjoys, but things start to fall apart when he tries to find a missing box, his boss starts to act strange and he has to walk back to his hotel. When he meets Toni it wasn’t the best first impression for either of them, but the offer of a ride begins a friendship that develops into more, misunderstandings and wrong impressions nearly pull them apart and it takes an interfering mother to bring the East and West together.
Before I say anything else about this book, I have to rave about Toni’s mother, she is wonderful, brilliant and the sort of mother that you secretly wish was yours, even as you dread what might next come out of her mouth, a spectacular character who you will adore. Toni and Jacob make a great couple and they play off each other brilliantly, although they do fall in love quickly it feels right. The storyline is great with some angst threaded through the mix and some bravery on Jacob’s part that impresses; it has some doubts for both Toni and Jacob, but it also has unconditional family support. All the characters are well developed and I swear you could imagine yourself in the restaurant as Toni, his mother and Jacob interacted.
This story I recommend to those who want an easy, enjoyable funny book that is threaded through with laughter, love and joy, but want just a touch of angst.
Review written for MM Good Book Reviews
http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/
Jacob is working the booth for a gay lit publisher at a book convention, just when he thinks his day is about to end a missing box and union rules tie him up in knots, and the person in charge of delivering the stock might be a hunk, but he is also a pain in the butt. Toni has had a bad day but to make up for the mix-up in delivery he offers Jacob a lift, and the two begin an interesting friendship.
This is one of the easiest, funniest and sweetest stories I have ever read, I didn’t want it to end. Jacob works for a very small publishing firm, so small in fact there are only him and his boss. Working a convention is something he enjoys, but things start to fall apart when he tries to find a missing box, his boss starts to act strange and he has to walk back to his hotel. When he meets Toni it wasn’t the best first impression for either of them, but the offer of a ride begins a friendship that develops into more, misunderstandings and wrong impressions nearly pull them apart and it takes an interfering mother to bring the East and West together.
Before I say anything else about this book, I have to rave about Toni’s mother, she is wonderful, brilliant and the sort of mother that you secretly wish was yours, even as you dread what might next come out of her mouth, a spectacular character who you will adore. Toni and Jacob make a great couple and they play off each other brilliantly, although they do fall in love quickly it feels right. The storyline is great with some angst threaded through the mix and some bravery on Jacob’s part that impresses; it has some doubts for both Toni and Jacob, but it also has unconditional family support. All the characters are well developed and I swear you could imagine yourself in the restaurant as Toni, his mother and Jacob interacted.
This story I recommend to those who want an easy, enjoyable funny book that is threaded through with laughter, love and joy, but want just a touch of angst.
February 22, 2013
3.5 stars. This started out very well for me, continued in the same vein, then the last third of the plot left me feeling a bit lost Some more relationship building would have been nice instead of the added drama. But Toni's mama was fab - I absolutely adored her!
June 12, 2015
I really couldn't get into either character. The premise of the actions and reactions of the MCs felt unrealistic or disjointed to me. Darn. I had high hopes for this one with all the good ratings. The story was promising but so many of the emotions did not feel authentic...or maybe it was just the writing style; as I guess felt more 'high school' than real world to me. I did enjoy his Italian family and especially his 'ma'. Had potential... but missed the mark for me.
February 15, 2013
I love Toni's Mother! She reminds me of my grandma. This book has humour, action, drama and romance all rolled into one without being awkward. It made me cry and laugh, which, I have come to associate with great books
Definitely a winner.
Definitely a winner. 
December 19, 2015
This was an enjoyable book. The only thing I objected to was the epilogue, which told what happened rather than showed it. Other than that, Jacob and Toni made a sweet couple, the story moved fast --well I finished it in 24 hours!--and I loved Toni's mom, a woman who didn't come across as nothing more than a homophobic bitch.
February 15, 2013
It's not often that I find a book where my favorite character isn't one of the leads. Book Fair is one of those tomes.
Toni's mama, a feisty Italian woman, wins the favorite character trophy hands down. The exchange at dinner between Toni, Jacob and Mama is just hilarious!
Toni's mama, a feisty Italian woman, wins the favorite character trophy hands down. The exchange at dinner between Toni, Jacob and Mama is just hilarious!
February 18, 2013
I would give more than 5 stars for this book if I could. I loved it so much I read it twice. At first I thought everyone needed a Toni but then at the end I thought everyone needed a Jacob. I really loved this book and it just goes to show how first impressions aren't always right
February 18, 2013
Reviewed on Hearts on Fire.. http://heartsonfirereviews.com/?cat=5...
I’m a sucker for stories that make me laugh and through the first half of this book I thought this was a funny romantic comedy. I like how Jacob and ‘hot butt’ Toni meet and come together. Then Toni’s Italian mom is introduced and steals the show. She says the most comically inappropriate things to encourage the romance between her son and Jacob. It’s different reading an m/m romance where the mom is so heavily involved in her son’s love life but I’ve known a few Italian sons and I didn’t find this that farfetched.
Then the second half starts and the book takes a dramatic turn, as in everyone takes a turn at being a drama queen. There’s altercations, misunderstandings, tears and total family involvement. Toni & Jacob barely know each other even carnally, but each makes grand love declarations. It’s crazy enough that while one boy is declaring his love for the other, he doesn’t even know the love of his life’s last name.
There’s a big misunderstanding that everyone tries to help the guys resolve. I love the scenes where each person tries to go up and try to coach our drama queen extraordinaire, Toni, out of his doldrums. I could picture all this nuttiness as part of scenes in romantic comedy movie or farce. But it’s all so over the top that I’m a little bit charmed by it all.
The book hits a few rough patches towards the last parts. There’s a scene where Toni & his mom recounts what happened previously to Jacob. Since we had already read what happened in the previous chapter this just felt repetitive. The book change to a more serious tone also felt a little abrupt. And things are a little topsy-turvy because it’s only near the end that Toni & Jacob find out the most basic information about each other. Somehow this doesn’t feel so unexpected as it’s in keeping with their personality trait of jump first and think about it later. Everything works out at the end when they finally consummate their relationship and come to a resolution that makes everyone happy including Toni’s ma.
I’ve read m/m books with better structure and flow but this one gets points for humor and originality. It’s easy for me to visualize some of the scenes. Jacob & Toni are cute together but Toni’s mom is one of the highlights of the book. This is one for those who like humor, a little angst and family over involvement in their love stories.
ETA: Just for kicks, if you want to see a kind of funny Gay coming out Italian/Canadian comedy, try out 2003 movie Mambo Italiano
I’m a sucker for stories that make me laugh and through the first half of this book I thought this was a funny romantic comedy. I like how Jacob and ‘hot butt’ Toni meet and come together. Then Toni’s Italian mom is introduced and steals the show. She says the most comically inappropriate things to encourage the romance between her son and Jacob. It’s different reading an m/m romance where the mom is so heavily involved in her son’s love life but I’ve known a few Italian sons and I didn’t find this that farfetched.
Then the second half starts and the book takes a dramatic turn, as in everyone takes a turn at being a drama queen. There’s altercations, misunderstandings, tears and total family involvement. Toni & Jacob barely know each other even carnally, but each makes grand love declarations. It’s crazy enough that while one boy is declaring his love for the other, he doesn’t even know the love of his life’s last name.
There’s a big misunderstanding that everyone tries to help the guys resolve. I love the scenes where each person tries to go up and try to coach our drama queen extraordinaire, Toni, out of his doldrums. I could picture all this nuttiness as part of scenes in romantic comedy movie or farce. But it’s all so over the top that I’m a little bit charmed by it all.
The book hits a few rough patches towards the last parts. There’s a scene where Toni & his mom recounts what happened previously to Jacob. Since we had already read what happened in the previous chapter this just felt repetitive. The book change to a more serious tone also felt a little abrupt. And things are a little topsy-turvy because it’s only near the end that Toni & Jacob find out the most basic information about each other. Somehow this doesn’t feel so unexpected as it’s in keeping with their personality trait of jump first and think about it later. Everything works out at the end when they finally consummate their relationship and come to a resolution that makes everyone happy including Toni’s ma.
I’ve read m/m books with better structure and flow but this one gets points for humor and originality. It’s easy for me to visualize some of the scenes. Jacob & Toni are cute together but Toni’s mom is one of the highlights of the book. This is one for those who like humor, a little angst and family over involvement in their love stories.
ETA: Just for kicks, if you want to see a kind of funny Gay coming out Italian/Canadian comedy, try out 2003 movie Mambo Italiano
February 20, 2013
This story is fun, sweet, and very much a traditional romance with my favorite kind of twist. A quick and easy read full of miscommunication, misunderstandings, and insta-love. It’s fun to see if these boys can find their way through the complications to a happy ending.
Toni’s family is a huge part of his life and this story. You have to love his huge, loud and loving Italian family. There are a few moments that left me feeling mushy and a little jealous. I think Jacob needs them as much as Toni.
The second romance in this book begins when Toni takes Jacob to be fed by his mother as an apology for his part in their rough start. Nothing could have prepared Jacob for the force of nature called Ma. Jacob’s quick wit and quirky sense of humor have him fitting right into the fun dynamic between Toni and his mother.
Though full of flirting and the promise of hot sex, circumstances keep preventing these boys from getting past turning each other on and some making out. When it finally came, there had been so much buildup I have to admit I was a little disappointed. The fun in this one is in the characters and relationship development.
I should warn those of you that are especially sensitive that there is discussion of domestic abuse though not graphic or occurring in the present.
I enjoyed this story. It reminded me of when I first started reading romance novels with their easily remedied dramatic conflicts and the sugary perfection of the characters. While not one to make you think or challenge your beliefs, it makes for a sweet little break.
Reviewed by: Nina
Toni’s family is a huge part of his life and this story. You have to love his huge, loud and loving Italian family. There are a few moments that left me feeling mushy and a little jealous. I think Jacob needs them as much as Toni.
The second romance in this book begins when Toni takes Jacob to be fed by his mother as an apology for his part in their rough start. Nothing could have prepared Jacob for the force of nature called Ma. Jacob’s quick wit and quirky sense of humor have him fitting right into the fun dynamic between Toni and his mother.
Though full of flirting and the promise of hot sex, circumstances keep preventing these boys from getting past turning each other on and some making out. When it finally came, there had been so much buildup I have to admit I was a little disappointed. The fun in this one is in the characters and relationship development.
I should warn those of you that are especially sensitive that there is discussion of domestic abuse though not graphic or occurring in the present.
I enjoyed this story. It reminded me of when I first started reading romance novels with their easily remedied dramatic conflicts and the sugary perfection of the characters. While not one to make you think or challenge your beliefs, it makes for a sweet little break.
Reviewed by: Nina
November 22, 2014
Nice story that takes place in the Big Apple where we find our harried hero getting ready for a big book fair and looking for a box of goods that he needs.Jacob is exhausted from his flight from LA and setting up a booth all day for the big event the next day.The final box he needs is missing and when he finds it, the handsome hunk tells him he has to put it down (union regulations) and it will be delivered to his booth by 8pm.Of course it isn't and Jacob confronts the yet unnamed hunk and they both search and find the box.Of ourse due to the late hour Jacob misses both a shuttle and a cab back to his hotel.Jacob starts walking and handsome hunk appears in a truck and offers him a ride. The next morning, Jacob finds himself working the booth alone (his boss is MIA) and it gets late and he finds himself walking again the mean streets of NYC when the handsome hunk appears again and offers a ride.The hunk is very apologetic for his behavior the previous day and offers Jacob a delicious dinner.Dinner turns out to be a wonderful Italian meal at the restaurant the handsome hunk's mother owns.The handsome hunk is named Toni and his mother Anna is a wonderful and funny character. I loved this book, yes it was sappy and hopelessly romantic...it was a fun and good read!
February 24, 2013
I am still smiling two hours after reading this book.
Book Fair by Michael Murphy is one of those sweet and funny books that has left me with a smile on my face. The first chapter was funny and all the way through the book I found myself smiling. One thing I will warn people about is Insta-Love. This book has Insta-Love in it. But I enjoyed it either way.
Jacob and Toni were adorable together. I loved how they met. To be honest I laughed through their first scenes together. They were just too funny and cute together. I never thought I never imagined when I picked this up that I would love it so much after the very first chapter. And it's true, before the first chapter ended I loved this book.
Anna was an amazing secondary character. I think she was really well written and her acceptance of her son was so lovely. I loved her spunk and the "real Italian woman" way about her. She was loud and proud of her son. I would never cross her and I felt bad for her brother when he pissed her off.
I highly recommend this book. I do not think I could give it enough stars. But I promise a laugh with this if nothing else.
Book Fair by Michael Murphy is one of those sweet and funny books that has left me with a smile on my face. The first chapter was funny and all the way through the book I found myself smiling. One thing I will warn people about is Insta-Love. This book has Insta-Love in it. But I enjoyed it either way.
Jacob and Toni were adorable together. I loved how they met. To be honest I laughed through their first scenes together. They were just too funny and cute together. I never thought I never imagined when I picked this up that I would love it so much after the very first chapter. And it's true, before the first chapter ended I loved this book.
Anna was an amazing secondary character. I think she was really well written and her acceptance of her son was so lovely. I loved her spunk and the "real Italian woman" way about her. She was loud and proud of her son. I would never cross her and I felt bad for her brother when he pissed her off.
I highly recommend this book. I do not think I could give it enough stars. But I promise a laugh with this if nothing else.
January 8, 2016
2,5 stars. Okey well I bought this one as I really liked Mr. Murphys Little Squirrels Can Climb Tall Trees. Unfortunately I was disappointed. Well actually the first half of the book was pretty good but then somehow it then turned to the worst kind of insta love story that I don't so much enjoy. I just have hard time understanding how you can say that you love someone if you don't even know their last name or what city they live in among others.. The last half of the book also didn't feel so well written to me.. I don't know I'm not professional book reviewer or anything like that.. Hell English isn't even my first language but somehow the end part just felt like the author was just putting sentences after each other with too many details.. I don't know if I can explain it but it felt like "first they did this, then they did this" repeatedly.. On a positive note the characters were pretty cool :) I think I liked the idea of this book but the outcome wasn't what I thought I would get..
July 5, 2013
This supposedly is a insta-love story between Jacob and Toni but really it was menage with two the MCs (Toni and Jacob) and Toni's mom. If she wasn't in the story this book would been 2 star okay read for me. I love how comfortable she'll with her sexuality and son's to the point to shamelessly informing Jacob that Toni gives phenomenal head which clearly he inherited from her. The only real problem I had was how quickly they fall in love with each other in span of days not even freaking month past before they are claiming each other the love of their each other lives . Do the author feel like the characters or readers would lose something if the miss couple months of their love story. I can't be the only one that would be okay if they tag on 5 months later tag and give a quick synopsis of what happened.
January 16, 2018
I hate giving bad reviews becuase I know that there is an enormous amount of work behind the result but this really wasn't my cup of tea. I mean I thought I would like it obviously otherwise I wouldn't have bought it but it was just too much love for me. The beginning of the book was OK but after that I just hoped that the end was near. I realise that the mother probably was supposed to funny and the constat "I love him and never got to him" should be romantic. Call me crazy but I just buy the instant love thing and I don't necessarily believe that "the one" exists, I believe in several ones.
March 10, 2013
Toni's mother definitely stole the show whenever she was in a scene! She was just hilarious!
I really liked the first 3/4 of the book...not as big of a fan of the last quarter or so when things are wrapping up, mostly because I thought it was just so rushed and summarized rather than letting us get to read anything about it. But I'd still give this 3.5 stars, because I really did love the beginning and middle of this book. I thought the writing was good and characters were fun to read about. I adore Toni and his family.
I really liked the first 3/4 of the book...not as big of a fan of the last quarter or so when things are wrapping up, mostly because I thought it was just so rushed and summarized rather than letting us get to read anything about it. But I'd still give this 3.5 stars, because I really did love the beginning and middle of this book. I thought the writing was good and characters were fun to read about. I adore Toni and his family.
February 24, 2013
meh.
Overall, I enjoyed it. But the Italian family air seemed extremely stereotypic and over the top. Maybe it is realistic, but it seemed a bit tropey.
The way the two guys just fell in love immediately and yet the conflicts between them would have just been solved with communication , again, tropey.
If you want to have a super sweet romance, then you will like this book.
Overall, I enjoyed it. But the Italian family air seemed extremely stereotypic and over the top. Maybe it is realistic, but it seemed a bit tropey.
The way the two guys just fell in love immediately and yet the conflicts between them would have just been solved with communication , again, tropey.
If you want to have a super sweet romance, then you will like this book.
March 7, 2013
I loved this book and loved Jacob and Toni together but one of my favorite people in the book was Toni's Mama. She was the best and cracked me up every time she opened her mouth, lol I also loved Toni's uncle, sniff sniff he made me cry. I loved that this book talked about books and talked about how the Book Fairs worked ;-)
May 31, 2015
Notice: The book was provided by publisher in exchange for a honest review.
Title: Book Fair
Author: Michael Murphy
Cover Artist: Adrian Nicholas
Publisher: Dreamspinner
Reviewer: Lynn
Genre: Contemporary
Type: Romance
Pairing: Gay
Length: Novel
Heat Rating: ♨♨♨
Rating:★★★★☆
The rest of the review can be read at World of Diversity Fiction
Title: Book Fair
Author: Michael Murphy
Cover Artist: Adrian Nicholas
Publisher: Dreamspinner
Reviewer: Lynn
Genre: Contemporary
Type: Romance
Pairing: Gay
Length: Novel
Heat Rating: ♨♨♨
Rating:★★★★☆
The rest of the review can be read at World of Diversity Fiction
April 23, 2017
I enjoyed this as a quirky kind of love story but the sudden and unexpected 'conflict' came out of nowhere and wasn't all that well executed. This would have been a five star read if the whole abuse plot line had been ditched.
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