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Lover Unexpected: Manlove Edition
Best friends make the best lovers? Indeed they do. There’s nothing more exciting than discovering that the person you already share everything with is the one you want sharing your bed. Join us for ten tales of sexy and decadent discoveries as these gloriously hot men find all the love, lust and orgasmic delight they could ever want—closer than they expected. 10 Author Anthology: Squeezable by Penelope Rivers A Little Bendy by Erin M. Leaf Being Stupid by Sean Michael Quench by Xondra Day Coming Home by K. Williams Between Marriage and an Octopus by Rebecca Brochu Getting Wade by Shawn Lane Gypsy Psychics Can't Be Wrong by Giselle Renarde Jay's Addiction by Chrissie Lee Diamond: The Men of Rock Candy by Alex Bowman
256 pages, Paperback
First published August 9, 2012
About the author
Penelope Rivers
81 books72 followersPenelope Rivers is a good girl from Utah with a naughty side!
Penelope Rivers is a bestselling erotic novelist of M/M romance novels and short stories. A hopeless dreamer, she spends her day thinking about all things fantasy, romantic and not. It is her view that when you start choking on the occasionally dry bread of life, you need something sinfully delicious to chase it down with. Currently, she lives in Utah with an abnormal amount of pets.
The first four erotic M/M short stories, Eyes on You, Lollipop Lick, The Naughtiest Student, and Dr. Perfect in Penelope's new series, Lust at First Sight, are now available from New Line Press.
Penelope Rivers is a bestselling erotic novelist of M/M romance novels and short stories. A hopeless dreamer, she spends her day thinking about all things fantasy, romantic and not. It is her view that when you start choking on the occasionally dry bread of life, you need something sinfully delicious to chase it down with. Currently, she lives in Utah with an abnormal amount of pets.
The first four erotic M/M short stories, Eyes on You, Lollipop Lick, The Naughtiest Student, and Dr. Perfect in Penelope's new series, Lust at First Sight, are now available from New Line Press.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
August 13, 2012
4 stars
I was like in a candy store: all stories are about best-friends-turn-lovers! Still, as with other anthologies, all stories are not created equal.. Some are better than others. Many suffers from the short story format, often in the speed of saying I <3 U (although they are probably justified considering the characters are already best friends). And, as you can see from the blurbs for each story below, some offer similar plots; so, you may want to read them in separate time so not get bored.
Overall, though, it's a good anthology.
------
Penelope Rivers. Squeezable. A guy lost a drunken dare and had to wear bunny costume all night. 3 stars
Erin Leaf. A Little Bendy. Josh tried to console his best friend who just broke up with his nice and sexy girlfriend. 3 stars
Sean Michael. Being Stupid. Parson tried to console his best friend who just broke up with his cheating boyfriend. 3 stars
Xondra Day. Quench. The story takes place in a post flu epidemic that wiped out most human and left very few people alive. 2.5 stars
K. Williams. Coming Home. A marine helped his old high school friend to get out of an abusive relationship. 4 stars
Rebecca Brochu. Between Marriage and an Octopus. My favorite story. Dylan had to stay at his detective partner's home when the upstairs neighbor's bathtub fell to his kitchen. It's funny and romantic: it has marriage and octopus! 5 stars
Shawn Lane. Getting Wade/ Wade tried to console Neal who just broke up since his bf wanted to have an open relationship and he did not. 3 stars
Giselle Renarde. Gypsy Psychics Can't Be Wrong. Another favorite of mine. A gypsy psychic woman told Marty that someone closed to him had been pinning on him. Unfortunately, he had no clue who that person might be. 4.5 stars
Chrissie Lee. Jay's Addiction. A beautiful story about a recovered drug addict who tried to rebuild his life, but the man he loved, his best friend Jason, seemed to have moved on. 4.5 stars
Alex Bowman. Diamond: The Men of Rock Candy. Cass worked as a bouncer while best friend Damon worked as a dancer. Could Cass stand to see night after night people drooled over the man of his dream, yet he couldn't do anything about it? 4.5 stars
I was like in a candy store: all stories are about best-friends-turn-lovers! Still, as with other anthologies, all stories are not created equal.. Some are better than others. Many suffers from the short story format, often in the speed of saying I <3 U (although they are probably justified considering the characters are already best friends). And, as you can see from the blurbs for each story below, some offer similar plots; so, you may want to read them in separate time so not get bored.
Overall, though, it's a good anthology.
------
Penelope Rivers. Squeezable. A guy lost a drunken dare and had to wear bunny costume all night. 3 stars
Erin Leaf. A Little Bendy. Josh tried to console his best friend who just broke up with his nice and sexy girlfriend. 3 stars
Sean Michael. Being Stupid. Parson tried to console his best friend who just broke up with his cheating boyfriend. 3 stars
Xondra Day. Quench. The story takes place in a post flu epidemic that wiped out most human and left very few people alive. 2.5 stars
K. Williams. Coming Home. A marine helped his old high school friend to get out of an abusive relationship. 4 stars
Rebecca Brochu. Between Marriage and an Octopus. My favorite story. Dylan had to stay at his detective partner's home when the upstairs neighbor's bathtub fell to his kitchen. It's funny and romantic: it has marriage and octopus! 5 stars
Shawn Lane. Getting Wade/ Wade tried to console Neal who just broke up since his bf wanted to have an open relationship and he did not. 3 stars
Giselle Renarde. Gypsy Psychics Can't Be Wrong. Another favorite of mine. A gypsy psychic woman told Marty that someone closed to him had been pinning on him. Unfortunately, he had no clue who that person might be. 4.5 stars
Chrissie Lee. Jay's Addiction. A beautiful story about a recovered drug addict who tried to rebuild his life, but the man he loved, his best friend Jason, seemed to have moved on. 4.5 stars
Alex Bowman. Diamond: The Men of Rock Candy. Cass worked as a bouncer while best friend Damon worked as a dancer. Could Cass stand to see night after night people drooled over the man of his dream, yet he couldn't do anything about it? 4.5 stars
August 18, 2012
Squeezable- This one was just ok for me. The whole bunny thing was kind of cute. 2 stars.
A Little Bendy - This one was just....1.5 stars.
Being Stupid - I liked this one. It was cute. 3 stars.
Quench - I didn't like this one at all!!! 1 star!!!
Coming Home - Omg, this one was freaking adorable!! One of the best of the whole book. It was so sweet. 4 stars.
Between Marriage and an Octopus- This was my favorite of the whole book!!! 5 stars all the way! I absolutely loved it!
Getting Wade - This one was ok. It's not one I will remember after reading though. 2 stars.
Gypsy Psychics Can't Be Wrong - I actually liked this one. I thought it was very sweet. 3 stars.
Jay's Addiction - This one was beautiful. Enough said. 4 stars.
The Men of Rock Candy - I really liked this one. It was lovely. 4 stars.
With analogies, you have good stories and not so good stories. I gave this 4 stars because the 4 I really liked made up for all the ones that were just ok.
A Little Bendy - This one was just....1.5 stars.
Being Stupid - I liked this one. It was cute. 3 stars.
Quench - I didn't like this one at all!!! 1 star!!!
Coming Home - Omg, this one was freaking adorable!! One of the best of the whole book. It was so sweet. 4 stars.
Between Marriage and an Octopus- This was my favorite of the whole book!!! 5 stars all the way! I absolutely loved it!
Getting Wade - This one was ok. It's not one I will remember after reading though. 2 stars.
Gypsy Psychics Can't Be Wrong - I actually liked this one. I thought it was very sweet. 3 stars.
Jay's Addiction - This one was beautiful. Enough said. 4 stars.
The Men of Rock Candy - I really liked this one. It was lovely. 4 stars.
With analogies, you have good stories and not so good stories. I gave this 4 stars because the 4 I really liked made up for all the ones that were just ok.
November 13, 2012
http://manohmanreviews.blogspot.ca/20...
Reviewed by Stacey Jo: This is an anthology of short stories where men find love in one of the most trusted people in their life, their best friend. There is a wide variety of genres that are covered as well as all levels of “hotness”, so a wide audience should be pleased. There is a little bit of everything to make everyone happy, depending on your mood, or what you are looking for. What you will find is: a barren waste land in a post apocalypse type world after a super flu killed nearly all of society, a guy stuck in a bunny costume, a marine who saves his friend from an abusive relationship, gypsy psychics, a police detective and a bathtub where it shouldn't be, an addict who is trying to rebuild his life, and a bouncer in love.
All of the stories were well written and the editing was well done. I find that because the stories are short, it can be read quickly too. Or you can at least read a few short stories at a time. But my only complain is that some of the stories are too short. Some of the stories are so fantastic that I wanted them to keep going. If best friends falling in love is something you enjoy reading about, then this anthology is the perfect book for you.
A+
Reviewed by Stacey Jo: This is an anthology of short stories where men find love in one of the most trusted people in their life, their best friend. There is a wide variety of genres that are covered as well as all levels of “hotness”, so a wide audience should be pleased. There is a little bit of everything to make everyone happy, depending on your mood, or what you are looking for. What you will find is: a barren waste land in a post apocalypse type world after a super flu killed nearly all of society, a guy stuck in a bunny costume, a marine who saves his friend from an abusive relationship, gypsy psychics, a police detective and a bathtub where it shouldn't be, an addict who is trying to rebuild his life, and a bouncer in love.
All of the stories were well written and the editing was well done. I find that because the stories are short, it can be read quickly too. Or you can at least read a few short stories at a time. But my only complain is that some of the stories are too short. Some of the stories are so fantastic that I wanted them to keep going. If best friends falling in love is something you enjoy reading about, then this anthology is the perfect book for you.
A+
November 16, 2012
There were stories that I really enjoyed and stories I just liked fine. All stories in this anthology follow the "friends to lover" theme so if those are the type of stories you don't like this may not be the type of anthology you'll enjoy. Being an anthology, the stories are short and there's not a lot of time to form a connection with the MC's. I have a few favorite but I won't mention which they are. All I can say is each one was sweet and unique in their own way.
November 6, 2016
Squeezable by Penelope Rivers - 2 stars
A Little Bendy by Erin M. Leaf - 2,5 stars
Being Stupid by Sean Michael - 2 stars
Quench by Xondra Day - 2 stars
Coming Home by K. Williams - 2,5 stars
Between Marriage and an Octopus by Rebecca Brocchu - 2 stars
Getting Wade by Shawn Lane - 1,5 stars
Gypsy Psychics Can't Be Wrong by Giselle Renarde - 1.5 stars
Jay's Addiction by Chrissie Lee - 3 stars
Diamond: The Men of Rock Candy by Alex Bowman - 2 stars
A Little Bendy by Erin M. Leaf - 2,5 stars
Being Stupid by Sean Michael - 2 stars
Quench by Xondra Day - 2 stars
Coming Home by K. Williams - 2,5 stars
Between Marriage and an Octopus by Rebecca Brocchu - 2 stars
Getting Wade by Shawn Lane - 1,5 stars
Gypsy Psychics Can't Be Wrong by Giselle Renarde - 1.5 stars
Jay's Addiction by Chrissie Lee - 3 stars
Diamond: The Men of Rock Candy by Alex Bowman - 2 stars
February 15, 2013
• Squeezable by Penelope Rivers
★★ 着ぐるみが脱げなくなる。
せっかくの奇抜なシチュエーションを、ただのきっかけに使ってしまうなんて短編にはもったいなかった。
• A Little Bendy by Erin M. Leaf
★★ 失恋した友人を慰める。
愛が説明っぽい。間がなく矢継ぎばや。
• Being Stupid by Sean Michael
★★★ 見る目がなく良い恋人に恵まれない２人。
冒頭を読むときにまごついたが、関係の展開は自然な流れに見えた。
• Quench by Xondra Day
★★★★ ほとんどの人が死滅した世界で。
帰ってきた彼のほうの熱をあまり感じられなかったんだけど、設定が好み。
• Coming Home by K. Williams
★★★★ 帰省した海兵と内気な書店主。
あり得そうな感じの物語。
• Between Marriage and an Octopus by Rebecca Brochu
★★★★★ 天井が抜け落ちて同僚刑事のところに避難。
新婚さんみたいな同棲生活。ラブコメディ。一番読みやすかった。
• Getting Wade by Shawn Lane
★★ 恋人に浮気され酔いつぶれたところを友人がお持ち帰り。
心情の変化が唐突かも。
• Gypsy Psychics Can't Be Wrong by Giselle Renarde
★★★ 占い師にあなたを想っている人が近くにいますよと言われる。
友人付き合いが説明だけなので友人ぶりを実感できなかった。
• Jay's Addiction by Chrissie Lee
★★★★ 薬中で倒れているのを発見した友人が半狂乱で告白したような？
無尽蔵に甘やかす彼氏、勘違いで逃走するダメっ子、という黄金パターンの一種。
• Diamond: The Men of Rock Candy by Alex Bowman
★★★★★ 学費のためにストリップダンスをする友人に悶々とするバーの用心棒。
ダンスの場面がすごい良かったのだけど、結局誘い受けかぁ。
★★ 着ぐるみが脱げなくなる。
せっかくの奇抜なシチュエーションを、ただのきっかけに使ってしまうなんて短編にはもったいなかった。
• A Little Bendy by Erin M. Leaf
★★ 失恋した友人を慰める。
愛が説明っぽい。間がなく矢継ぎばや。
• Being Stupid by Sean Michael
★★★ 見る目がなく良い恋人に恵まれない２人。
冒頭を読むときにまごついたが、関係の展開は自然な流れに見えた。
• Quench by Xondra Day
★★★★ ほとんどの人が死滅した世界で。
帰ってきた彼のほうの熱をあまり感じられなかったんだけど、設定が好み。
• Coming Home by K. Williams
★★★★ 帰省した海兵と内気な書店主。
あり得そうな感じの物語。
• Between Marriage and an Octopus by Rebecca Brochu
★★★★★ 天井が抜け落ちて同僚刑事のところに避難。
新婚さんみたいな同棲生活。ラブコメディ。一番読みやすかった。
• Getting Wade by Shawn Lane
★★ 恋人に浮気され酔いつぶれたところを友人がお持ち帰り。
心情の変化が唐突かも。
• Gypsy Psychics Can't Be Wrong by Giselle Renarde
★★★ 占い師にあなたを想っている人が近くにいますよと言われる。
友人付き合いが説明だけなので友人ぶりを実感できなかった。
• Jay's Addiction by Chrissie Lee
★★★★ 薬中で倒れているのを発見した友人が半狂乱で告白したような？
無尽蔵に甘やかす彼氏、勘違いで逃走するダメっ子、という黄金パターンの一種。
• Diamond: The Men of Rock Candy by Alex Bowman
★★★★★ 学費のためにストリップダンスをする友人に悶々とするバーの用心棒。
ダンスの場面がすごい良かったのだけど、結局誘い受けかぁ。
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 15, 2014
Squeezable by Penelope Rivers 4 stars
A Little Bendy by Erin M. Leaf 3.5 stars
Being Stupid by Sean Michael 3 stars
Quench by Xondra Day 3 stars
Coming Home by K. Williams 5 stars
Between Marriage and an Octopus by Rebecca Brochu 5 stars
Getting Wade by Shawn Lane 3 stars
Gypsy Psychics Can't Be Wrong by Giselle Renarde 3.5 stars
Jay's Addiction by Chrissie Lee 3.5 stars
Diamond: The Men of Rock Candy by Alex Bowman 4 stars
A Little Bendy by Erin M. Leaf 3.5 stars
Being Stupid by Sean Michael 3 stars
Quench by Xondra Day 3 stars
Coming Home by K. Williams 5 stars
Between Marriage and an Octopus by Rebecca Brochu 5 stars
Getting Wade by Shawn Lane 3 stars
Gypsy Psychics Can't Be Wrong by Giselle Renarde 3.5 stars
Jay's Addiction by Chrissie Lee 3.5 stars
Diamond: The Men of Rock Candy by Alex Bowman 4 stars
July 27, 2015
Bought this when it was on sale without bothering to read what the theme was. Unfortunately friends-to-lovers is not my thing, but with short stories like these I didn't mind so much, as I wasn't so attached to the characters.
The quality of writing fluctuated, still most of the stories fell into the okay category. Between Marriage and an Octopuss stood out in a positive way, while Men of Rock Candy had plenty of potential if only it had been expanded.
All in all, worth the money.
The quality of writing fluctuated, still most of the stories fell into the okay category. Between Marriage and an Octopuss stood out in a positive way, while Men of Rock Candy had plenty of potential if only it had been expanded.
All in all, worth the money.
Want to Read
August 11, 2012Squeezable by Penelope Rivers
A Little Bendy by Erin M. Leaf
Being Stupid by Sean Michael
Quench by Xondra Day
Coming Home by K. Williams
Between Marriage and an Octopus by Rebecca Brochu
Getting Wade by Shawn Lane
Gypsy Psychics Can't Be Wrong by Giselle Renarde
Jay's Addiction by Chrissie Lee
Diamond: The Men of Rock Candy by Alex Bowman
A Little Bendy by Erin M. Leaf
Being Stupid by Sean Michael
Quench by Xondra Day
Coming Home by K. Williams
Between Marriage and an Octopus by Rebecca Brochu
Getting Wade by Shawn Lane
Gypsy Psychics Can't Be Wrong by Giselle Renarde
Jay's Addiction by Chrissie Lee
Diamond: The Men of Rock Candy by Alex Bowman
April 3, 2013
I'm about half way thru, but so far the story by Rebecca Brochu is my favorite. It's called Between Marriage and an Octopus. I love when a solid deep friendship turns into the perfect one for you. That's what this book is all about, friends to lovers. The other stories have been great so far, but now I need to go look up Ms. Brochu.
August 21, 2012
Thrown together collection of nothing very special. "Squeezable" had some major typos, most of the others were just ok. The best two were "A Little Bendy" and "Between Marriage and an Octopus". 2/10 = not worth it.
August 10, 2012
Penelope Rivers - 4 stars wish it was long I love all her books
Shawn Lane - 3 stars
Shawn Lane - 3 stars
August 14, 2012
There's a few stories in here I really loved...especially "Between Marraige And A Octopus" and "Diamond: The Men Of Rock Candy"
November 1, 2012
Copy provided for review that can be found at http://manohmanreviews.blogspot.com
June 16, 2013
**This review does not include my story.**
I finally read the antho and I had to say that I was impressed by each story. Each had its own uniqueness and I smiled many times as I read.
I finally read the antho and I had to say that I was impressed by each story. Each had its own uniqueness and I smiled many times as I read.
January 6, 2013
Haven't read all of the stories but the ones I have are just okay.
April 24, 2013
Really impressed with this. Most of the stories are an excellent read. My favorite would have to be Coming Home by K. Williams. Will be checking out more from this author!
November 24, 2013
Ten short stories (around 19 pages each) about friends who love each other. I liked it ok, maybe 3.5 stars worth. ;)
December 25, 2019
fairly bad porn
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews