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Start Something New
Sergeant First Class Matt Ridley adopts a new puppy and joins his HOA Board thinking it will get him out of the house more; otherwise the alternative is his well-meaning brother signing him up for online dating sites. Through HOA business, Ridley meets Brett Isaacs, a civilian Army security guard at the base where he works, who also shares his destructive dog woes. A yard planning session with beer and pizza turns into a profession of mutual attraction and a very satisfying ending as they agree to embark on something new.
- GenresM M Romance
24 pages, ebook
First published September 18, 2013
12 people want to read
About the author
J. Rocci
35 books40 followersSince 2006, J. Rocci has published LGBT romance stories, ranging from contemporary to steampunk to fantasy. Rocci currently lives near Washington D.C. with the love of her life and their furry children, and loves giving her characters happy endings.
You can find Rocci on the web at:
http://www.jrocci.com
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You can find Rocci on the web at:
http://www.jrocci.com
Monthly newsletter
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
November 29, 2013
A Hearts On Fire Review
FOUR STARS--J. Rocci's super short story, "Start Something New" from the Torquere Charity Sip Blitz series, is about a divorced, bisexual soldier with a new puppy looking to start something new with his cute gay neighbor, a civilian Army security guard with his own dog too.
The story is not long but for what is giving the promising start of a new relationship- it is pretty good. The divorced Matt Ridley has not had a date in years, joined his neighborhood HOA and meets a single hottie named Brett.
Ridley has been off his game for awhile so when Brett invites him over to discuss killer garden gnomes (super funny conversation) and have a couple of fancy beers...things progress into a steamy little moment. '
The story ends with a strong HFN, possible HEA vibe - I mean it is the start of a relationship and only 24 pages. The fact that the men shared some common ground (military background, still young, single, pet owners) was a nice touch. It did not get too cutesy.
Plus: The dirty talk...whoa, totally unexpected. But hotness factor approved!
Minus: I'm not a fan of a lot of abbreviations in stories. Because unless you're familiar with all the shorthand, it just RCFTN-ASPLM or (really confusing for the non-abbreviation savvy people like me). So after the third Army(?) abbreviated mention I didn't really follow what the narrator was describing but I was able to follow the story.
I wished this story was longer. It had promise to be a longer length.
Basically, no angst, sweet but not sappy, great dialogue, steamy scene (yes just one) and good writing equals a great little story and me certainly checking out more from this author.
FOUR STARS--J. Rocci's super short story, "Start Something New" from the Torquere Charity Sip Blitz series, is about a divorced, bisexual soldier with a new puppy looking to start something new with his cute gay neighbor, a civilian Army security guard with his own dog too.
The story is not long but for what is giving the promising start of a new relationship- it is pretty good. The divorced Matt Ridley has not had a date in years, joined his neighborhood HOA and meets a single hottie named Brett.
Ridley has been off his game for awhile so when Brett invites him over to discuss killer garden gnomes (super funny conversation) and have a couple of fancy beers...things progress into a steamy little moment. '
The story ends with a strong HFN, possible HEA vibe - I mean it is the start of a relationship and only 24 pages. The fact that the men shared some common ground (military background, still young, single, pet owners) was a nice touch. It did not get too cutesy.
Plus: The dirty talk...whoa, totally unexpected. But hotness factor approved!
Minus: I'm not a fan of a lot of abbreviations in stories. Because unless you're familiar with all the shorthand, it just RCFTN-ASPLM or (really confusing for the non-abbreviation savvy people like me). So after the third Army(?) abbreviated mention I didn't really follow what the narrator was describing but I was able to follow the story.
I wished this story was longer. It had promise to be a longer length.
Basically, no angst, sweet but not sappy, great dialogue, steamy scene (yes just one) and good writing equals a great little story and me certainly checking out more from this author.
August 12, 2017
This was one Tasty little morsel.😋
September 30, 2013
Wanting to put down some roots and settle in now that he's left the military, Matt Ridley, in 'Start Something New' by J. Rocci, buys a townhouse, joins his neighborhood HOA, and gets a puppy. When he comes home one day, hoping for some quiet relaxation, he, instead, finds that his puppy needed to go potty and couldn't wait. With major difficulties, he cleans up the mess and takes the dog for a walk, during which he meets the president of the HOA. She queries him about the ARC (Architectural Review Committee) applications, which he is following up on. Then she basically orders him to attend the neighborhood party that weekend, as is informally dictated by his committee position.
Continuing their walk, Ridley decides to check with one of the ARC applicants, Brett Isaacs. His first impression of Brett isn't great, but as he gets to know him, and Brett's dog, Ricochet, he changes his mind and invites Brett to the block party, hoping he will come but not really expecting him to. He's delighted when Brett and Ricochet are there and settle down beside him. They end up discovering that they have a lot in common, i.e., dogs, military service, and sexual preferences. When Ridley comes over a few days to help Brett with fixing up his side yard, they realize just how much on the same page they are.
This a short, delightfully endearing story made even more special by the humor and wit of the characters. I especially enjoyed the banter between the guys about where the gnomes were to be placed. I was quickly enamored by both characters, finding them down-to-earth and genuine; besides, who can resist a story with dogs in it? I recommend this story to anyone wanting a quick read, with great characters, dogs, and the belief that there is someone for everyone. Thanks, Jay, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
NOTE: This book was provided by Torquere Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Continuing their walk, Ridley decides to check with one of the ARC applicants, Brett Isaacs. His first impression of Brett isn't great, but as he gets to know him, and Brett's dog, Ricochet, he changes his mind and invites Brett to the block party, hoping he will come but not really expecting him to. He's delighted when Brett and Ricochet are there and settle down beside him. They end up discovering that they have a lot in common, i.e., dogs, military service, and sexual preferences. When Ridley comes over a few days to help Brett with fixing up his side yard, they realize just how much on the same page they are.
This a short, delightfully endearing story made even more special by the humor and wit of the characters. I especially enjoyed the banter between the guys about where the gnomes were to be placed. I was quickly enamored by both characters, finding them down-to-earth and genuine; besides, who can resist a story with dogs in it? I recommend this story to anyone wanting a quick read, with great characters, dogs, and the belief that there is someone for everyone. Thanks, Jay, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
NOTE: This book was provided by Torquere Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
September 30, 2013
Ridley's idea of joining an HOA and getting a dog to help him "settle down" and have a quiet life made me grin. While the suggestion came from friends (and possibly his slightly pushy brother), Ridley seemed to have followed it easily enough. "Never gonna work," I thought to myself, and right from the very beginning, what happens is anything but the settled down life Ridley was supposed to be looking for.
His dog has a mind of her own, chewing and destroying everything in sight. The HOA president is after Ridley for some forms, and then then there's the block party to think of. Ridley seems a little overwhelmed by it all, but when he meets one of his neighbors, Brett, things very quickly turn very clear.
The two of them both fumble their way through the initial phases, and made me smile with how eager they seemed to get the slightly awkward beginning over with. When they start planning the setup of "attack gnomes" in Brett's garden, I laughed out loud.
If you like sweet stories about hesitant beginnings, if you enjoy reading about slightly socially awkward men who still seem to manage to get to what's important to them gratifyingly quickly, and if you're looking for a fun, hot read, then you will probably like this short story.
NOTE: This book was provided by Torquere Press for the purpose of a review.
His dog has a mind of her own, chewing and destroying everything in sight. The HOA president is after Ridley for some forms, and then then there's the block party to think of. Ridley seems a little overwhelmed by it all, but when he meets one of his neighbors, Brett, things very quickly turn very clear.
The two of them both fumble their way through the initial phases, and made me smile with how eager they seemed to get the slightly awkward beginning over with. When they start planning the setup of "attack gnomes" in Brett's garden, I laughed out loud.
If you like sweet stories about hesitant beginnings, if you enjoy reading about slightly socially awkward men who still seem to manage to get to what's important to them gratifyingly quickly, and if you're looking for a fun, hot read, then you will probably like this short story.
NOTE: This book was provided by Torquere Press for the purpose of a review.
September 30, 2013
3 Hearts
Review written for MM Good Book Reviews
This is a nice story with a dash of sweet and a portion of hot thrown in there.
It starts a bit on the slow lane. Matt has forced himself into joining the HOA Board so that it gives him some reason to get out of his house more, he has a new puppy that is quite energetic, and he’s trying to be more social.
This was something that I didn’t get to understand though. Why was Matt not socializing? Was the reason his ex and their divorce (he mentioned her at some point) or was it his time in the army? It didn’t seem to be the later though as he bonds quite easily with Brett over their time there. So I failed to really see why Matt was such a recluse.
The story moves on and Matt gets to meet Brett through his HOA business and the attraction seems instant and mutual. While the context is still a bit on the mellow side as the men get to know each other things take a good leap on the erotic scale when both men have their first date.
At some point there is some dirty talking going on. Like bedroom, dirty talking. I can’t say how much I appreciated it, nor how much a enjoyed it. I wouldn’t mind it a bit more on that account but as it was it was a pretty hot and sexy ending. It made up for the slow start and changed my entire view on this story.
Thommie
Review written for MM Good Book Reviews
This is a nice story with a dash of sweet and a portion of hot thrown in there.
It starts a bit on the slow lane. Matt has forced himself into joining the HOA Board so that it gives him some reason to get out of his house more, he has a new puppy that is quite energetic, and he’s trying to be more social.
This was something that I didn’t get to understand though. Why was Matt not socializing? Was the reason his ex and their divorce (he mentioned her at some point) or was it his time in the army? It didn’t seem to be the later though as he bonds quite easily with Brett over their time there. So I failed to really see why Matt was such a recluse.
The story moves on and Matt gets to meet Brett through his HOA business and the attraction seems instant and mutual. While the context is still a bit on the mellow side as the men get to know each other things take a good leap on the erotic scale when both men have their first date.
At some point there is some dirty talking going on. Like bedroom, dirty talking. I can’t say how much I appreciated it, nor how much a enjoyed it. I wouldn’t mind it a bit more on that account but as it was it was a pretty hot and sexy ending. It made up for the slow start and changed my entire view on this story.
Thommie
September 20, 2013
The HOA bit pulled me right in, as I've heard the HOA horror stories from my brother and another close friend. The HOA president didn't have much screen time, but well drawn enough I could picture having to deal with her.
I enjoyed watching Ridley and Brett flirt and fumble around each other. I loved that Brett had a dorky laugh. This is a cute "start of something" story.
I enjoyed watching Ridley and Brett flirt and fumble around each other. I loved that Brett had a dorky laugh. This is a cute "start of something" story.
May 1, 2014
Two guys and their dogs living in an army base manage to find a new romance over the ARC application.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews