Watching Him

DGU: The Sons D'Aquino #0.5

by Jennifer Cody

I like to people watch—and it’s not like I’m unique or creepy or whatever else the people at the office seem to think. A lot of people enjoy the same activity. Just because I can’t keep my eyes off that guy doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with me. I mean, he’s handsome and all, but I don’t have a crush on him. That would be creepy or at least crazy. I watch him because he’s so weird. He’s charismatic and charming, he makes friends with everyone, and he has a well of patience a mile deep. All that is totally normal, but the fact that he can’t see me? Like, at all? That’s weird. Tell me it’s not, I dare you. Because it is. It’s totally super weird that I’m invisible to him. Weirder still? I don’t think anyone knows his name; I certainly don’t. Watching Him is a 48k MM Paranormal Office Romance between an obsessive guy with some eye-catching ass ets and a man who's able to see just fine as long as he isn't looking at his stalker. This is the prequel to the next Diviner's Game Universe The Sons D'Aquino , and while it stands alone, it reintroduces as adults a few of the Aquino boys that readers fell in love with in The Diviner's Game Trilogy.

Genres: M M Romance, Paranormal, Fantasy, Magic, Shapeshifters, Fae, M M Paranormal

179 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 14, 2023

About the author

Jennifer Cody lives in Small Midwestern Town, USA, aka the sticks of Kansas. She has three kids and a Beardo she loves. Her sleep schedule is weird, so messages sent at midnight usually get answered relatively promptly. She reads all kinds of mm romance and urban fantasy, but her favorites are gay-for-you, small-town romances and over the top urban fantasy romances. Her own writing doesn’t always reflect her reading preferences, but mostly it does. She writes what she wants to read and reads extensively because she’s an addict. To books, obviously. And caffeine because sleep is for other people.

Reviews

[Josephyne · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm not even sure how to rate this book, this was all kinds of fucked up... It really has so much weirdness in it. And not a good weird. Because I absolutely love Murder sprees and mute decrees. It's one of my favorites. But this was just... Too much, way too much.

Mick spends 2 years stalking a guy. I'm still not entirely sure if it was partly by accident or if he made sure to be on the same place as the guy, even going as far as to be neighbors. Then he realizes he should probably stop staring so he does. From reading the blurb I thought this would be a paranormal book and maybe the guy could genuinely not see Mick. Instead he can see him just fine and I don't think it's ever really explained why he just completely fully ignores Mick.

After about 3 months of not stalking the guy who lives right next door, Mick's coworker Sharon goes to him to have sex. She's married and has kids but this is pretty much glossed over, Mick just decides it's none of his business. Oh and to make matters worse, she also turns out to be pregnant and in private Mick wonders who the father is... Then the guy decides to go to him to tell him to turn down the music and the roles are reversed, the guy now stalking Mick. Or rather, following him.

If you don't like cheating, this is not the book for you. Even though they eventually agree to have a closed relationship, Mick loves to tease and make others come and they are both aware but ignore that Corbin had sex with Sharon like 2 days before he had sex with Mick.

Then, just as I thought this was just a basic romance, it turns out the book is paranormal after all. To me at least, it came out of nowhere and I have no idea why Jennifer decided to write it in. Mick is apparently 10% other species and Corbin is another species as well and half of Mick's friends are and the other half aren't and basically half of the world is aware and the other half isn't. It just makes no sense at all. Not even a little bit. It's confusing and it all feels weird. But not in a 'oh this is weird but I'm down for it and really want to know more' kind of way. More in a 'oh this is a weird clusterfuck of more weird and just get me out of here' kinda way.

The relationship between Mick and Corbin is, mediocre at best. I didn't really get the chemistry and I'm also confused on what kind of relationship they have. Yes, they're boyfriends, but there's just so much happening that I don't know what to feel about it. There seems to be a bit of kink with Corbin spanking Mick and watching him give himself an enema which makes Mick feel vulnerable and gives a tiny bit of hurt/comfort. But not enough of the kink to actually really define the relationship. Mick is a bottom but he also likes to top from the bottom. However, not with Corbin.

I was also massively annoyed about how apparently every supernatural has some kind of magic which Corbin is searching for with Mick. Which really makes me question, why didn't he try doing that before? If you have off the charts chemistry with someone (his words, not mine) and you feel like he's human but also compatible with you, then why not at least check if maybe he's not as human as you thought. And then ofcourse it turned out Mick's place was in his butt and activated when they had sex. Because ofcourse it was, why not...

And to finish it off, Mick is first in some kind of chase where the bad guy pricks him with a thorn and it all felt really weird. (Again, no hurt/comfort here despite him being wounded). And then Corbin is in a bank robbery and describes the bad guys to Mick. And then, oh gee what a surprise who's have thought, Mick is in a bank robbery too with the same bad guys. I'm not sure how many banks this world has and I'm also not sure how they explain the coincidence that Mick just happened to almost never ever go to the bank but he went right on that moment.
And then Corbin's parents were there too but apparently they had no idea their son's partner was there as well.

For me at least, there really wasn't enough hurt/comfort. There wasn't enough sweet moments and moments in the story where the craziness calmed down. It was just a clusterfuck of weirdness and my head is still reeling. Too many things that didn't make sense.

[Natalie H · Rating 3 out of 5]

January 2024
Kindle edition
Kindle unlimited

Ah, so it does say paranormal in the blurb. Naturally I didn’t read the blurb and got blindsided at the 70% mark. A stalker-ish romance suddenly becoming fated mates and an opening to a supernatural community. Other than that it seemed to be a party book repeating on sex hygiene. I’m curious about Cary though. Might give the previous series a go. Would’ve been nice to see Mick actually meet the parents.

[Jacquie Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really, really, need to go back and read the rest of the books in this world. I own them, just haven't gotten to them!

Don't get me wrong, this can absolutely be read as a standalone as Mick gets an introduction to things that serves as our introduction and it is a prequel series, setting the scene for the larger world. It was also useful to me that I'd read some of the Hudson Hub stories, though I haven't read the Diviners Game series. Those that have read them might get more out of the cameos in the book.

Watching Him was steamy and fun. I got to just over the halfway mark and had actually forgotten that it was supposed to be a paranormal story, so that reveal was wow!

Then we get our crash course in the Hudson Hub and everything that was kind of strange that I'd just written off just started to make sense.

The relationship between Mick and "that guy" really just worked. I loved the possessiveness that he showed Mick and the steamy scenes were fantastic!

All in all, a great series opener.

[Brey (lil Sebastian)]

Gonna have to DNF at 7%. Definitely should’ve been a trigger warning for cheating at the beginning. Although there was no cheating between the two MCs, one of the main MC’s is cheating with a coworker who he knows is married. And then there’s some sort of weird interaction where the other love interest whose point of you we get says he would suck That dick. Even though this dude was just sleeping with a chick like six hours before that he could hear and that he works with and who is married. I don’t know, just super weird not into it.

[DLB2572 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Start to Another Amazing Series

I wasn't quite sure where things were going in the beginning of this one but I've read enough of Jennifer Cody's books by now to know that it's worth it to stick it out. As usual, I am so glad that I did. I absolutely loved this story and I highly recommend this story to anyone who loved the previous to Diviner's Games series. I can't wait to get to Cary's story next.

[Lina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy to read, and it entertained me for a day.

[jasmin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m not familiar with the previous (and upcoming) series this is associated with so I went in blind but I think it works ok as a standalone since the majority of things get explained/introduced later on. The names in this were kinda weird (but then again the previous JC series I’ve read had strange names too) and I just don’t like the name Mike lmao. The fact that he didn’t know ‘that guy’s’ name till nearly halfway through the story was kinda crazy… considering the fact that they’d hooked up a few times too AND he’d stayed over. I can relate to not knowing the guy's name if they’d hooked up once (bc personally I’m never seeing that guy again lmao) but they were neighbours and coworkers!!! Also it juts irked me how he suddenly changed his ways for that guy/Corbin like babe stay true to yourself and don’t just submit to a man.

EDIT omg I can’t believe I forgot this but the fact that Corbin slept with Mike’s coworker friend (I forget her name) but she was married with kids and then found out she was pregnant... Like why’d they all just overlook that…

[Becky A · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Watching Him" received TWO AND A HALF stars.

Great characters, lots of laughs, and smoking sexy times, all things I’ve come to expect when reading a Jennifer Cody book. But, this one also had very little plot, and, while I loved Mick, I had a hard time connecting with Corbin.

The novel gained *stars* for these items:

* gained for: "The book caught my interest in the first five pages."

1/2 * gained for: "I thought about the book when I was forced to set it down and re-enter society."

* gained for: "There were no info dumps, poor writing, or copy edit mistakes that jerked me out of the story."

The novel failed to gain stars for this item:

NO STAR gained for: "I was sad when the book ended. I wanted more!"

NO STAR gained for: "That's it. I'm hooked on this author. I will automatically try anything she/he/they writes."

[Holly's Bookshelf · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’ve found that this author has a very unique writing style. Its very random and sometimes doesn’t make sense. But yet sometimes it does?

This book was just weird. Mick has been stalking his coworker/neighbor for two years. Yet he never knew his name? We genuinely think he’s invisible to the guy he stalks. Then, one day the neighbor decides to just barge into his apartment and steal his beer. After screwing their coworker who is the same age as his mom? A bit weird. And then everything ok? We didn’t get much of an explanation on why Corbin ignored Mick to begin with. I didn’t realize that this was a fantasy until I was halfway through, everything was all normal and human and then bam. Out of nowhere theres magic and fae and all that. I do wish that we were eased into it or maybe there were clues in the beginning to lead up. A short and spicy read.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Strange

I feel confused on the read, did I like it? Yes, where there parts I didn't like? Yes. The beginning was wild! And how these two casual start talking is also just as wild. I loved how crazy "that guy" became of mick. He was possessive as hell. And he jealousy was hot. But there just seemed to be to much going on here. Besides the kink that pops up between these two out of the blue, we also get a paranormal read over halfway through the book. Which I don't think was needed in this read. Honestly, the whole book could have done without. I'm not sure if this is a spin off of another paranormal series of the authors. But somehow that actually took away from this read. I thought it was so good until that.

[Holli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! It was so fun and quirky!

Mick is a bit of a stalker, without realising that the amount of watching he does of "That guy" could be considered creepy or strange.

When he realises that he has been both creepy and strange he stops .... and "That guy" starts his pursuit.

Funny, steamy leading into paranormal and building towards a new series in the Diviner's Game universe. The last third of the book will have characters from the previous series, but they just add background flavour, this book can be read as a standalone. (That said, you would be missing out, the Diviner's Game series is amazing).

As always with Jennifer Cody's work the writing and world building was supurb and I am very excited to see where this new series goes!

[Sharon Beattie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book so much must be the forth or fifth time of reading and will probably read it more! Characters are relatable - at least I can relate - I learnt my lesson the second time of reading, don't read on the bus as I randomly started giggling and got some strange looks. Love how it ties into the rest of the universe and reminds me to re-read that as well. Standing ovation at the end, wanted to see what happened when Mick met the parents and where the bit of sprite came from! But overall would recommend!

[LaTasha Streets · Rating 5 out of 5]

Obsessive and irresistible

Considering that I am unable to read one book at a time and stay focused, usually. It's very telling that not only had I finished this book within 24 hours. I was not able to put this book down without obsessing over picking it back up. I am very happy that I discovered Jennifer Cody's books. This is not the first I've read and definitely would not be the last. I want to recommend this book to the world.

[Yackie]

Yaknow what. I knew I’d be smut. But it did surprise me. I was expecting one thing and I am genuinely surprised I was wrong. I think this will go into my ironic reads. I can handle the novella size of this, but I don’t think I could have stuck it out for a full book, I probably won’t be finishing this series. BUT I might read more of this authors work because it wasn’t poorly written, it just had more sex then I prefer in anything. Also the depictions were more graphic than I expected.

[Manlove · Rating 4 out of 5]

Too bad I read this after Ashes of Ackonir - I was looking for that level of intensity and instead I found this. Which isn't to say this was bad! I enjoyed it enough for the character chemistry and all (mostly the friend stuff was purely delightful). But I was thrown when all the DGU(?) stuff came out of left field (I say that despite the fact that I've read all those side stories, LOL! My bad!).

I think I'm generally enjoying Jennifer Cody so maybe I'll keep on reading more! LOL, maybe!

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

welcome back to Houston Hub

I love this story! Mick and Corbin are perfect for each other. And we get to see the Aquinos again. It’s been too long.

5 stars and 2 thumbs up, totally recommend this quick-ish read to any Houston Hub fans. (If you aren’t one yet I suggest starting at the beginning with Diviner’s Game)

[Reader99999 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just sheer fun

A return to the word of the Houston Hub. The characters are interesting, especially Mick, who somehow manages to obsess about a man for two years without ever learning his name or interacting with him in any way. They work for the same company, on the same floor, and live in apartments that share a wall.

[Amanda Murch · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, Mick and Corbin were both brilliantly funny characters. There is just something magical about Jennifer’s writing, every book I’ve read of hers has it. Her writing style as well as the amazing world building and awesome characters just makes every book a great read! X

[J.L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting stand-alone installment to one of my favorite urban fantasy worlds. This was written in serial form, and it shows in the way Cody has trouble nailing down exactly where the story will go. It's a credit to Cody's writing and storytelling that I immensely enjoyed this fun novella but that it's hard for me to give it top marks when I know this author is capable of so much more.

[Kelli D · Rating 3 out of 5]

confused

I was totally confused when at 65% the book added a whole new element to it! For a second I thought I had accidentally clicked on another book. Even though the blurb said it was a prequel to a series I didn’t think it would take such a drastic turn. On to read the series though!

[joani · Rating 3 out of 5]

So not about a D'Aquino son

Yes the are some in the book but its not actually about them. This is about Corbin and Mick who are fiends of the sons. I am really confused about what has gone down with the D'Aquino sons but I guess that will be addressed is future books. There was way too much sex for me but I did enjoy their story.

[Amanda Quarles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Watching Him

Mick and Corbin

I absolutely love this world the author has created. Every character is so likable. If you have read the previous books from here I highly recommend you do. Can't wait the next ones.

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great one from Jennifer Cody!

I love Mick and Corbin. I loved how it start as a normal storyline that turn paranormal half way through. Can't wait for the next book in the series.

[Sandy Beaches · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved every moment

Did I read this book while it was Jennifer’s weekly WIP (work in progress)? Yes.

Did I love every moment of it all together? Absolutely.

There is just something phenomenal about their writing that draws you in and doesn’t let go! Love love love

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg i want more

Jen has done it again! This book is amazing! We get to see the kids from the DG series all grown up. Mick is so funny, and it's awesome seeing his thoughts! He and that guy are perfect for each other!

[JILL Stock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoy and devoured

I enjoyed this booked and devoured bit in one sitting cannot wait for the series bto come out. A must if you read any of the previous D'Aquino series. Highly recommended.

[Molly Otto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fun read

This was definitely a fun read once you get into it it's gets better and better. Will admit took a bit for me to get into but once was it was enjoyable and cannot wait to see what's next in store for them.

[Vintage · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

You know the feeling that you get when you are reading a book and it dawns on you that some of the characters that are in the book are grown up versions now from a previous series that you loved. Squeek! Great prequel to what is shaping up to be an epic new series.

[Joscelyn Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much fun

I can honestly say that I really didn't see the twist coming. This fun, funny, and just entertaining in all possible ways. I can't wait to revisit this alternate version of my city.

[Yezi Soto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intense

I need it this, i totally Love how Jennifer create the personalities i love mick mischief 😍 fun and sexy and that gay🤩 he is so Hot 🔥 Love it how everything turned out and the Best part meaning a little w the non human community