Giovanni

Cougars and Cubs #3

by Gigi Meier

Where cardio is more than a gym workout.

Within the luxe confines of an elite gym, where the city's most affluent come to sculpt their bodies and perhaps their social images, Giovanni Marconi reigns as the golden boy. With his hypnotic physique and a charm that outshines the gleam of the polished weights he lifts, Giovanni is not just a personal trainer—he is the embodiment of aspiration. Amidst the hum of treadmills and the clink of dumbbells, he's honing his own body to perfection, his sights set unswervingly on the grandeur of the Mr. Olympia competition. But even as he's surrounded by the trappings of success and the adulation of those who seek to mirror his physical prowess, Giovanni is about to discover that the heart's yearnings can't be tamed by discipline and strength alone.

Kacie Yacob is the archetype of relentless ambition, her name a byword for tenacity in the cutthroat corridors of law. In her late thirties, she’s a beacon of success, an assistant district attorney who wields her intellect like a rapier, carving through court cases with a precision that leaves little room for error—or rest. Her office, awash with the soft glow of a desk lamp in the wee hours, is both her battlefield and her sanctuary, a place where take-out containers stack as high as her accomplishments. Yet, the toll of her dedication weighs heavily, not just in the files on her desk, but on the scales—a stark reminder of the thirty pounds accumulated through years of fast-food lunches and take-out dinners. When a health scare sends her world spinning and a diagnosis of high blood pressure and prediabetes written starkly in black and white, Kacie is jolted awake. Faced with the fragility of her own body, she must now confront the necessity of change, the urgency of taking back the reins of her health before it's too late.

When Kacie enters Giovanni's gym with little knowledge of fitness, seeking an expert to guide her through the unfamiliar terrain, she finds not merely a trainer but a collaborator deeply committed to her holistic transformation. Their collaboration commences with her zeal for learning and his dedication to mentorship, evolving into a shared pursuit of fitness, friendship, and mutual adoration.

Giovanni is an endearing romance of body positivity and transformative growth, charting two divergent paths converging towards a shared realization that true strength lies in the harmony of physical, emotional, and mental well-being.

Giovanni is the third book in The Cougars and Cubs Series and is a connected standalone. It is a steamy, reverse age gap, new year resolutions, health and fitness, protector, alpha male, opposites attract romance.

Genres: Romance

284 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 31, 2024

About the author

GIGI MEIER retired from a thirty-year career in corporate America to write romance novels about strong female characters and their complicated, swoon-worthy men. She loves telling stories and figuring out why her characters do what they do. With heartbreaking angst, panty-dropping lust, and enviable love, her stories linger long after you close the book.

When GiGi is not eating over her laptop, she likes to spend time in the pool with her children, walk her furry babies, and film videos for Instagram. Whether working out with her trainer, attending a book club, or hosting a game night, she loves connecting with new people and making friends.

Learn more about GiGi:
www.GiGiMeier.com
www.instagram.com/authorgigimeier
https://www.facebook.com/groups/autho...
https://gigimeier.substack.com

Reviews

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun book full of whit and banter! Gio and Kacie are a perfect couple that complement each other. Gio is a very perfect Cinnamon roll MMC. This book was heartwarming and a great read!

[Kacie Mummawh0reads.x · Rating 5 out of 5]

Giovanni
By Gigi Meier
⭐️5
🌶️3
💧0

Oh my. If Gio isn’t the SWEETEST cinnamon roll ever!! He is such a beautifully written character! Where can we find a MAN who builds his woman an indoor camp out!? Seriously!!!
The FMC has some health problems arise and to be healthier, joins a gym, our fitness loving MMC shows nothing but adoration for the FMC curves!
This book is full of body positivity and love and we are just swooning over their banter and chemistry!
Loved this book so much.
Gigi can do no wrong! Check it out!

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[╰⊱♥⊱╮ღ꧁Kathy,Ahmazing Book Faerie꧂ღ╭⊱♥≺ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Ms Meier for the ARC!!!

I LOVED reading Giovannis story.
After a rough patch in thd last book, he's back and better than ever!
Gio is such a sweetheart, and after his heart was broken, it seemed like there was nothing that eould heal him.
But!! He hadn't met Kacie yet.
Even though Gio is back in the gym and had his eyes set on body building as a career, he still craves the love his friends have found.
Kacie, is a different kettle of fish though, she had no intention of bothering with any guy, until she gets a shock diagnosis from her doctor, and finds herself visiting the gym!
This was a really sweet,wonderful story, oh, except for that ridiculous woman!
I'm loving this series, and each story is just better than the last!

[KJ Pointer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh Giovanni what a romantic, golden retriever, dominating man you are!!! I loved this reverse age gap romance, I haven’t read too many where this such an age difference, Kacie is 37 and Giovanni is 21/22 but honestly it feels like he’s so much older and more mature than his age suggests. This is a personal trainer/client relationship and Kacie is a slightly curvier girl and I loved that! The chemistry between these two was instant and you could really feel it between them. Highly recommend!

[Genoveva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yall Gigi Meier has done it again. A story with a guy who is absolutely gaga over his woman. Though be forewarned that our FMC in this one struggles a little with body image issues, I do feel that Gigi has done a wonderful job at conveying the importance of health. And I just gushed over the way Gio felt about Kacie. The way he pushed for open communication was such a turn on 😉.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kacie is an assistant DA who has health problems. She goes to the gym to work with a personal trainer, hoping to get her health to improve. Giovanni, a personal trainer and body builder and younger than her, is assigned to be her trainer. Once they meet, both are attracted to each other and start flirting. Neither is sure if the other means it until one night after training Gio invites Kacie back to his place to show her how to cook healthy for herself. Will they become a couple? Will their ages interfere?

I enjoyed this book. I liked Kacie and Giovanni. She is a workaholic. He is battling his family who want him to become a doctor like the rest of them. She learns to make time for him. She also helps him show his family that his dreams can be attained and be financially sound. I like the lightness of their flirting. I like how Giovanni is always thinking of her comfort and pleasure. When trouble happens (as it always does) in the form of another woman, I like that Kacie was angry but eventually decides to listen to her heart and Giovanni's story before kicking him out of her life. I could feel Gio's despondency when Kacie tells him to leave. I was so glad she listened. I liked the success that Gio attains with his bodybuilding as well as with the two of them.

I have to read the other stories in this series. I like that age makes no difference.

[Robyne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am loving this reverse age gap series a little more with each book that Gigi releases. In this one, we get a closer look at Giovanni and who he is, as a man, a bodybuilder, and a partner. I relate so much to Kacie, the hardworking, bada$$ attorney that we meet in this book. Kacie is in her thirties, struggling with her weight and trying to adopt a healthy lifestyle but it’s hard, and she doesn’t shy away from that truth.

It’s so hard to get authentic “plus size” representation in books and it is so relieving to see a realistic female character that is not only carrying the plus size label but is also a realistic sized woman. Kacie’s body so closely resembles mine that I felt like I was in the book, and Gio was there for me.

Gio’s personality: I just love it. He’s like a cross between a golden retriever and an alpha. I’d love to see him as he progresses seggually and see how dominant he becomes with age. Wink.

If you love flirty characters, insta-lust, reverse age gap and diverse characters, then you’re in for a treat!!

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm going to start this off by saying I've never been a fan of the reverse age gap. However, Giovanni made me see the appeal of it. He was sweet and adorable as well as supportive and willing to let Kacie stand on her own. Giovanni is a personal trainer with bodybuilding competition aspirations. Kacie is a middle-aged attorney who has a health scare that leads her to the gym. It was interesting watching the back and forth between the two characters as they figure things out. of course, had there been a few more conversations there would have been less drama but hey where's the fun in that! I did really like the book and while I may not be a total reverse age gap convert - I won't be running away anymore. The banter between the two was both funny and sweet. I really loved how Giovani had less inhibitions than someone older might have when it comes to his feelings. Overall, I would to==completely recommend the book.

[Coffeenbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

- Age gap
- Cinnamon roll MMC
- Relationship goals

Giovanni is much sweeter than most of the MMCs I read about, but he was written so beautifully - authentic, genuine - that I totally fell in love with him. He knows what he wants - Kacie - and isn't shy about it.

When Kacie decides to make a lifestyle change, she signs up for a personal trainer. Gio loves his job at the gym and is also training for a bodybuilding competition. His heart is a little tender from finding out the woman he liked is engaged, but once he sees the beautiful lawyer Kacie, she's all he thinks about.

Kacie is older than Gio, but she can't deny the chemistry between them. She decides to give a relationship with him a chance - and it's the best decision she's made!

I adored all of the trips/dates that Gio planned to make Kacie feel treasured. What a swoony man!

[All You Read is Love · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet, sweet Giovanni. Ahhh. Gio is just the sweetest guy! Kacie is a lawyer and Giovanni is a body builder/physical trainer with big dreams! When Kacie has a health scare she decides to make some health changes and that lands her and Giovanni in the right place together.
❤️
I just loved how dedicated Giovanni is to Kacie he is the cinnamon roll male that everyone can't help but love. He's the most caring and loves to give his all to his relationship. He's the best at surprises as well 😉
❤️
This is a spicy, age gap, interracial romance that you can't help but swoon over.
❤️

[Danni Neeld · Rating 3 out of 5]

👊Arc Book Review 👊

⭐⭐⭐💫
🌶️🌶️🌶️

👩‍⚖️ Reverse Age Gap
🏋️ Cinnamon Roll MMC
👩‍⚖️ Curvy FMC
🏋️ Praise Kink
I enjoyed reading this installment of the Cougar and Cubs series. It was an easy read.

Giovanni is a sexy body-builder who works as a personal trainer at a gym. His focus for the new year is all about competing and winning the title of Mr. Olympia. He is as sweet and sexy as they come.

Kacie is an attorney. She is dedicated to her career as busy and stressful it may be. She is used to having to control the court-room and all the things involved with getting her cases/witnesses court ready. She is ready for someone to take control of her sometimes. 😉😉😉😉

At a normal check up with her doctor, Kacie is given a scare to get into shape and lose some weight and to do it fast. She goes to the gym to sign up for a personal trainer. She is assigned Giovanni and the insta-connection hits.

This is their story of love for all ages and sizes. A story of love and respect and honest open communication. They are literally perfect for complimenting each other's personalities well.

The spice is (insert a chef's kiss)🥵🥵🥵 I'll take a Giovanni any day.........

Thank you to Gigi for allowing me to ARC read this book. :)

[Marianne W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again GiGi Meier has written a great book about a reverse age gap.
Giovanni is 21/22 and Kacie is 37, but they both match eachother perfect.
So if you love read about reverse age gap, bodybuilder, lawyer, misunderstanding, then you have to read this book.
I just LOVED the story about Giovanni and Kacie ❤

[J L · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one is extra sweet with a side of spice!
We love Giovanni and Kacie!!

Gio is the ultimate cinnamon roll, golden retriever MMC. He is so sweet, thoughtful, and caring. But is a BOSS in bed. Which is exactly what ADA Kacie needs!

Body positivity, playful banter, and the cutest dates. This is that light, fun, playful afternoon read you need! ♥️

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

Giovanni is a cinnamon roll MMC that is so sweet it will give you a toothache. Including some spice! I also loved that Kacie was a curvy FMC who had her vulnerabilities but has a sharp wit. This reverse age gap was such a sweet and fun love story filled with grand gestures and moments that will have you saying " Awwww". Probably my favorite thus far in the Cougars and Cubs Series.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

I am really enjoying this series and this book definitely did not disappoint this reader at all. I enjoyed reading about Gio & Kacie & the other characters as well. It was a great story that has me in a roller coaster of emotions. I enjoy this authors way of writing. I really enjoyed this one.

[Erin pages_and_prosecco · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew Gio was going to be a big softy, must admit Seb is still my fave, but Gio and Kacie’s story was hot and steamy! Love a younger man 🔥🔥🔥

[Debra Johnson]

Prch Amz June 4, 2024