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Unexpected
Unexpected is a really great character study. Charlie and Giovanni are wonderful, believable, multi-dimensional characters. The novella has perfect pacing without any slow or fast portions. Actually, I found myself sad that the novella ended. I want more Charlie and Giovanni! Booking It Grade: A Review
When gay guy Charlie agrees to father a baby for his friend Mariah he has no idea that, uanble to cope, she'd disappear to California and he'd be left holding the baby. Then he meets Giovanni, all lean and kinetic and beautiful who not only brings some sunshine back into his life but adores children too.
When gay guy Charlie agrees to father a baby for his friend Mariah he has no idea that, uanble to cope, she'd disappear to California and he'd be left holding the baby. Then he meets Giovanni, all lean and kinetic and beautiful who not only brings some sunshine back into his life but adores children too.
95 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 8, 2010
3 people are currently reading
121 people want to read
About the author
Sommer Marsden
267 books280 followersProfessional dirty word writer, gluten free baker, sock addict, fat wiener dog walker, expert procrastinator. That sums it up.
Sommer Marsden has been called “…one of the top storytellers in the erotica genre” (Violet Blue), “Unapologetic” (Alison Tyler), “…the whirling dervish of erotica” (Craig J. Sorensen),and "Erotica royalty..." (Lucy Felthouse). Her erotic novels include Restricted Release, Restless Spirit, Boys Next Door, and the Zombie Exterminator series. Sommer currently writes for Harper Collins Mischief, Ellora's Cave, Xcite Books, Pretty Things Press, Excessica and Resplendence Publishing.
You can find Sommer's short works in well over one hundred and twenty-five (and counting) erotic anthologies.Visit her at Unapologetic Fiction http://sommermarsden.blogspot.com
Sommer Marsden has been called “…one of the top storytellers in the erotica genre” (Violet Blue), “Unapologetic” (Alison Tyler), “…the whirling dervish of erotica” (Craig J. Sorensen),and "Erotica royalty..." (Lucy Felthouse). Her erotic novels include Restricted Release, Restless Spirit, Boys Next Door, and the Zombie Exterminator series. Sommer currently writes for Harper Collins Mischief, Ellora's Cave, Xcite Books, Pretty Things Press, Excessica and Resplendence Publishing.
You can find Sommer's short works in well over one hundred and twenty-five (and counting) erotic anthologies.Visit her at Unapologetic Fiction http://sommermarsden.blogspot.com
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
September 26, 2015
Instalove is usually a device that leaves me cold, but Marsden made it work with Giovanni and Charlie. A sweet, compelling romance.
December 8, 2010
this was a cute story but they feel in love awfully quick.
November 18, 2010
Unexpected could have been really good, but instead it was a disappointment. I have three main complaints.
1. The plot is mainly a story outline, not a story, interspersed with sex scenes. Some of the sex scenes were hot, but they were presented with almost no context. I kept looking for content other than erotica, and it was there in only the slimmest way.
There was almost no scene setting. I had a hard time following where the scene was taking place; dialogue just has to be supported by some narrative. Whenever the scene changed or a new chapter began, I scrambled to figure out where the characters were.
2. I understand that the title of the story is Unexpected, but I do feel that this theme was taken too far. I'm willing to suspend disbelief and go along with love at first sight, but the emotions that Giovanni and Charlie succumb to appear within just a few days. If I'm reading this right, literally the entire story takes place in less than a week. And the main characters are vowing eternal love within two or three days. Also willing to uproot themselves and move to another state in pursuit of the baby when they, almost literally, have just met. They have great sex, sure, but they don't even know if they are compatible in any other way. I just wasn't able to believe any of it.
3. Most importantly, most of the emotional content of the story that isn't concerned with sex takes place off stage. The author never gives us the baby, Mariah, or Mariah's mother as real characters or believable people. They appear in the middle of the crisis of who is entitled to care for Annabelle, the baby, and we are told, not shown, the threat these people represent to the family Charlie is hoping to build.
For example, the story would have been enormously richer if we had been shown Mariah immediately before she leaves for California, so that we understand that she is an unfit mother. That way, when she returns, she would have represented a real threat that we fear. When she goes off with Annabelle alone, we would have been as fearful and hysterical as Charlie was. Instead, the threat reaches us remotely.
Likewise, if we had gotten to know Mariah's mother earlier in the story (to give it some substance beyond the sex scenes), her looming presence as one to be feared, who had some influence over Mariah and her possible desire to take Annabelle away, would have added a lot to the texture and reading experience.
I'm sorry to say that this book just didn't work for me.
1. The plot is mainly a story outline, not a story, interspersed with sex scenes. Some of the sex scenes were hot, but they were presented with almost no context. I kept looking for content other than erotica, and it was there in only the slimmest way.
There was almost no scene setting. I had a hard time following where the scene was taking place; dialogue just has to be supported by some narrative. Whenever the scene changed or a new chapter began, I scrambled to figure out where the characters were.
2. I understand that the title of the story is Unexpected, but I do feel that this theme was taken too far. I'm willing to suspend disbelief and go along with love at first sight, but the emotions that Giovanni and Charlie succumb to appear within just a few days. If I'm reading this right, literally the entire story takes place in less than a week. And the main characters are vowing eternal love within two or three days. Also willing to uproot themselves and move to another state in pursuit of the baby when they, almost literally, have just met. They have great sex, sure, but they don't even know if they are compatible in any other way. I just wasn't able to believe any of it.
3. Most importantly, most of the emotional content of the story that isn't concerned with sex takes place off stage. The author never gives us the baby, Mariah, or Mariah's mother as real characters or believable people. They appear in the middle of the crisis of who is entitled to care for Annabelle, the baby, and we are told, not shown, the threat these people represent to the family Charlie is hoping to build.
For example, the story would have been enormously richer if we had been shown Mariah immediately before she leaves for California, so that we understand that she is an unfit mother. That way, when she returns, she would have represented a real threat that we fear. When she goes off with Annabelle alone, we would have been as fearful and hysterical as Charlie was. Instead, the threat reaches us remotely.
Likewise, if we had gotten to know Mariah's mother earlier in the story (to give it some substance beyond the sex scenes), her looming presence as one to be feared, who had some influence over Mariah and her possible desire to take Annabelle away, would have added a lot to the texture and reading experience.
I'm sorry to say that this book just didn't work for me.
March 17, 2012
So........ Me and my female BFF decide to have a bambino/a. To make this possible we decide to get drunk and have awkward seckz. OR ... Not. Yeah. That may not have been the most unbelievable part of this story but it certainly smarts the most to me. I wont review any further than to say that a turkey baster would have caused WAY less emotional damage than a meaningless roll in the sack. No wonder she hated the kid.
Moving ON
Moving ON
December 23, 2010
This is my favourite Sommer Marsden to date - and I love her writing!
Her characters are full of life and emotion and the story grabs and twists you. It is also very hot and erotic.
Highly reccommended.
Her characters are full of life and emotion and the story grabs and twists you. It is also very hot and erotic.
Highly reccommended.
November 29, 2010
2.5
Charlie has a baby that he adores unconditionally, even though being her custodial parent was very unexpected. His best friend Mariah wanted a baby so she and Charlie got drunk, he pictured Andy Garcia and they had reproductive sex. The result is Annabel. When Mariah is hit with a wicked case of post partum depression, she leaves the baby with Charlie. He’s handling it and then he meets Giovanni, very freshly out of an abusive relationship, with a broken arm in a cast courtesy of the ex. It’s out of character for Charlie to invite someone for anything (in this case, shaved ice), especially with Annabel in the car but he did. The two really fall insta-love.
The two have to face a lot during this fragile getting to know you time, maybe too much for the length of the story. Mariah returning, Mariah’s mother’s interference, Giovanni’s abusive ex. I would have appreciated more detail – what was Mariah like before? Also, there is a scene when Charlie nearly hits Giovanni, sees the cast and that’s what stops him. And Giovanni makes excuses for it, and that made me uncomfortable. He stayed with the abuser a long time, probably making excuses for it then as well.
This is a pretty good story that could have been so much better with more detail and maybe a longer time span.
Charlie has a baby that he adores unconditionally, even though being her custodial parent was very unexpected. His best friend Mariah wanted a baby so she and Charlie got drunk, he pictured Andy Garcia and they had reproductive sex. The result is Annabel. When Mariah is hit with a wicked case of post partum depression, she leaves the baby with Charlie. He’s handling it and then he meets Giovanni, very freshly out of an abusive relationship, with a broken arm in a cast courtesy of the ex. It’s out of character for Charlie to invite someone for anything (in this case, shaved ice), especially with Annabel in the car but he did. The two really fall insta-love.
The two have to face a lot during this fragile getting to know you time, maybe too much for the length of the story. Mariah returning, Mariah’s mother’s interference, Giovanni’s abusive ex. I would have appreciated more detail – what was Mariah like before? Also, there is a scene when Charlie nearly hits Giovanni, sees the cast and that’s what stops him. And Giovanni makes excuses for it, and that made me uncomfortable. He stayed with the abuser a long time, probably making excuses for it then as well.
This is a pretty good story that could have been so much better with more detail and maybe a longer time span.
September 15, 2011
Jenre recommended this one so I thought I'd try it. Her review pretty much sums it up. When I saw the cover originally I thought "Oh no, another "he's left with the baby" book. I'll pass." But it wasn't quite what I expected. Yes, he got left with the baby after his best friend couldn't cope, but the emphasis was not on that so much, there was pages of him changing diapers and buying strollers, etc. Yes, it was insta-love but it didn't bother me too much. Perhaps Charlie was a bit emotional. He cried more than I thought maybe necessary and was pretty chatty about his emotions but it while it walked close to the line it didn't quite cross it for me. I also found at the beginning I felt at times like I was kind of dropped into the middle of a scene and it took me a moment to get my bearings, but either that stopped happening or I adjusted to it because I didn't notice it later. So don't let the baby turn you off if that's not your thing.
December 26, 2010
I liked the premises of this book so I read it all in one go.
I loved how the sexual interests and frustrations were played, nothing is just easy but at the same time you will easily agree to take this trip with both guys in the path of developing a certain amount of trust. Trust in the future, trust in the other, trust in love and trust in the author that she will carry you and her character safely to the great finale.
The story is well written, if you are in the mood for committed relationship or/and cuteness in your stories, this is it!
If you are not but still feel curious about a love story between two busy partners with a hard past and a need to believe in a sexy and loving future, then it still is a wonderful read.
I loved how the sexual interests and frustrations were played, nothing is just easy but at the same time you will easily agree to take this trip with both guys in the path of developing a certain amount of trust. Trust in the future, trust in the other, trust in love and trust in the author that she will carry you and her character safely to the great finale.
The story is well written, if you are in the mood for committed relationship or/and cuteness in your stories, this is it!
If you are not but still feel curious about a love story between two busy partners with a hard past and a need to believe in a sexy and loving future, then it still is a wonderful read.
January 20, 2013
I loved this story.. loved it!!! the diaolog between all the characters was awesome and fun.. I loved the connection between Giovanni and Charlie not to mention the little sweetie Annabelle.. Their interaction and dialog was even more awesome. These characters connected in way you could relate to. it had a real feel to it..that's what makes this story enjoyable and special...
They only tiny and I mean tiny disappointment I had was the following...the marriage proposal was never revisited and the moving in together issue seem to be dropped...despite the fact that the ending implied that's what was going to happen. it was not enough to lessen my stars...five all the way!!
They only tiny and I mean tiny disappointment I had was the following...the marriage proposal was never revisited and the moving in together issue seem to be dropped...despite the fact that the ending implied that's what was going to happen. it was not enough to lessen my stars...five all the way!!
November 28, 2011
Plot definitely hit several of my personal "Likes." And on top of that, I thought it exceptionally well written.
The men were hot and sexy, the sex was hot, spicy, and ... succinct sounds like a horrible adjective for a sex scene. How about "just the right length." They got the point across and let the narrative get on. The antagonists had good, believable motives. I liked that neither of the protagonists was a White Knight, both were flawed, damaged goods.
The men were hot and sexy, the sex was hot, spicy, and ... succinct sounds like a horrible adjective for a sex scene. How about "just the right length." They got the point across and let the narrative get on. The antagonists had good, believable motives. I liked that neither of the protagonists was a White Knight, both were flawed, damaged goods.
March 20, 2014
So, I was incredibly confused at the beginning; it read like past tense, then suddenly present.
Once I got over that and the fact that it was gonna be super insta-love I really enjoyed it.
I liked their banter, and just the way they interacted.
I didn't like the "Daddy" thing, never has been something I'm comfortable with. But my biggest issue with this book... How the Hell does a person get thrown down the stairs in a bungalow?
Once I got over that and the fact that it was gonna be super insta-love I really enjoyed it.
I liked their banter, and just the way they interacted.
I didn't like the "Daddy" thing, never has been something I'm comfortable with. But my biggest issue with this book... How the Hell does a person get thrown down the stairs in a bungalow?
November 15, 2010
This is a stunning story, sexy, hot and loving.
When gay guy Charlie agrees to father a baby for his friend Mariah he has no idea that, uanble to cope, she'd disappear to California and he'd be left holding the baby. Then he meets Giovanni, all lean and kinetic and beautiful who not only brings some sunshine back into his life but adores children too.
When gay guy Charlie agrees to father a baby for his friend Mariah he has no idea that, uanble to cope, she'd disappear to California and he'd be left holding the baby. Then he meets Giovanni, all lean and kinetic and beautiful who not only brings some sunshine back into his life but adores children too.
September 6, 2011
Rated 3 1/2 stars.
This wasn’t the story I thought it would be but it was well written and the story held together through all of the trauma and drama. I would have loved for the men to be more nurturing toward the baby, rather than simply offering the safest environment among several bad choices. Unexpected is probably the right term to describe this book.
This wasn’t the story I thought it would be but it was well written and the story held together through all of the trauma and drama. I would have loved for the men to be more nurturing toward the baby, rather than simply offering the safest environment among several bad choices. Unexpected is probably the right term to describe this book.
January 9, 2015
Loved it
Hooking up through a car window with baby in the backseat of the car imagine that, getting drunk and knocking up your best friend as a favor but not wanting the baby, turns out you like been a daddy and you end up been a single parent because your friend can't cope. Falling in love with Giovanni after hooking up with him arm in cast an all that.
I like, I loved it!
Hooking up through a car window with baby in the backseat of the car imagine that, getting drunk and knocking up your best friend as a favor but not wanting the baby, turns out you like been a daddy and you end up been a single parent because your friend can't cope. Falling in love with Giovanni after hooking up with him arm in cast an all that.
I like, I loved it!
January 17, 2015
Pleasantly Surprised
I got this book as a free download and wow wads I surprised. This is a sweet tale of love at first sight and a budding friendship. This book had all the right points, it was funny, sad and had just enough angst and drama to keep your attention. I loved this book.
I got this book as a free download and wow wads I surprised. This is a sweet tale of love at first sight and a budding friendship. This book had all the right points, it was funny, sad and had just enough angst and drama to keep your attention. I loved this book.
December 2, 2010
Cute baby, hot DILF, sweet yet wise new love interest, some drama, tons of sex. Some of the actions of the two mains given the circumstances might be a little suspect, but easily overlooked. I'd read it again ... someday.
February 6, 2011
I would give this book 3.5 stars. It was good enough that I rounded it to 4. It was a quick, enjoyable read. I really enjoyed that fact that Charlie's parents had no problems with him being gay, and I liked how easily they accepted Gi. The cabin scene was very nice, too ;-)
August 10, 2016
I just couldn't get into it. It's a lovely story but it's was all over the place.
It kept dropping into situations, never at the beginning and there wasn't really any character building.
It was hard to read, but that's just my opinion. It may work for others but it didn't for me.
It kept dropping into situations, never at the beginning and there wasn't really any character building.
It was hard to read, but that's just my opinion. It may work for others but it didn't for me.
May 22, 2013
Skillfully written, but so much sex, the very interesting plot was submerged by it. Perhaps if this short piece had been expanded with more story and the sex to plot better balanced, I could have enjoyed it more.
December 5, 2010
Very cute story
January 1, 2013
I liked the book but felt it was lacking any depth for me.
April 2, 2015
A good story I enjoyed it.
November 15, 2010
Charlie and Giovanni fit together so well!! I really enjoyed this book:-)
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews