Dan Henshaw and the Undeniable Force

Art with Heart #1

by Eule Grey

All twenty-year-old Dan Henshaw wants for Christmas is a few moments with the new office bloke, John. But each time Dan gets close to the curly-haired hottie, something crops up. Employment contracts, the Christmas tree, and colleague Gemma get in the way. It’s enough to make a fella sigh.

John Taylor is a lover of art and sci-fi. As soon as he spots the cutie gazing out of the office window, he knows he’s got to take action. But John is shy and so is Dan. Can John think of a creative way to catch Dan’s attention?

Two blokes. One picture. The undeniable force of attraction. Some people say a first kiss is worth more than any Christmas gift.

Genres: Christmas, M M Romance, Romance, Contemporary

Unknown Binding

About the author

Eule Grey has settled, for now, in the north UK. She’s worked in education, justice, youth work, and even spread the butter in a sandwich factory.

Eule writes LGBTQI books with the characters she’s been seeking since childhood: neurodivergent villains, characters with mental health issues, conflicted thoughts, and a craving for cupcakes. Best of all, Eule adores writing romantic stories, often with a dash of the paranormal.

Reviews

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an absolutely adorable novella! If you're a fan of quirky characters, as I definitely am, this is a must read! It's fun, sweet, cute, and just overall really good. Also, though it's not explicitly stated, I do believe both of the MCs might be on the spectrum, and I'm always looking for more representation. Since this is marked as a series, I so hope the next book is about the same two MCs because I definitely want more of them!

[Trift · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was really charming. A wonderfully drawn character sketch. And while I would love to see more of Dan and John, I thought this was a really good length (which can be so hard to get right in a novella).

[Lelyana's Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute little story about a guy who obsessed with vampire and moustache.
Adorable, but I was a bit struggled with the writing. I'll probably check this author's other books.

[Mx Phoebe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Someone who sees vampires everywhere I can totally appreciate being a Buffy fan. Meeting someone with the same affliction would be a dream come true and Eule Grey makes this happen for Dan.

Dan Henshaw and the Undeniable Force is a quick holiday romance between two neurodiverse people who happen to meet at work. It’s cute, sweet, and everything you want for a holiday romance. I love Dan and John together and you will too. If you need a quick dose of holiday happiness, then I recommend adding this one to your holiday reading list. (I read this after the Christmas holiday and I still really loved it.)

I received a free copy of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.

[the kevin (vaguely alive) · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

I really didn’t know what to expect from this based on the blurb, yet somehow the blurb is a direct encapsulation of the reading experience.

There is a somewhat nonlinear approach to story telling via our (presumably) ND MC Dan, but some of that is lost being in third person and can seem as a weakness in writing rather than deliberate choice. Even given that, I had trouble following from scene to scene the most.

I could generally follow along within a scene, but switching to another was jumpy and confusing. Everything moved very quickly, and characters didn’t seem to hold onto thoughts for very long which made it even choppier to read. This also lessened my ability to connect with the story, I felt like I kept getting jerked out of it.

Mixed feelings. It was an experience.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an excellent novella length story. I can't remember the last time I rated one five stars as it's really hard to get the balance right when you're working with a short.

But this is an adorable, beautifully paced, single POV read. It's super innocent, which is refreshing in the romance world.

Both MC's are quirky, possibly neuro-atypical, young men who have a shared passion for vampires and architecture.

I know a lot of people found the writing style jarring, but I think it was really well done and it's so important to try to look at the world from as many different perspectives as we can. A lot of the things we find normal can appear strange and illogical to other brain types.

I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews and I have chosen to leave an honest review.

[Justine Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dan Henshaw and the Undeniable Force is a wonderfully written sweet short story. This is an enjoyable story and I loved getting a look inside Dan's mind. He thinks just a bit differently and that was great to see come across on the page. I think everyone needs a co-worker/friend like Gemma. I loved Dan's interactions with John Taylor, the new guy to the office whom Dan takes an interest in. They seemed to on the same wavelength. This is a new to me author and I will definitely be looking into more of their work. I found this to be an all around feel good book and I recommend it.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet quick read.
Dan is too anxious to realise that John is interested in him until his workmate gives him a push into John’s space. Once he realises that they have a lot in common he finally relaxes and their attraction takes over.
Because it’s a short story we don’t get to know much about the MCs which is a pity as I wanted to know more about John. We get to know Dan better as the story gives us a lot of Dan’s thoughts, though I found it a little confusing at times. I loved Dan’s parents and their support of him was fun.
I received a copy of this book from GRR to review and this is my honest and voluntary opinion.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

2024 Christmas Bingo #9

This was cute but weird, well-written but maybe a little unrealistic? I honestly can't decide how I feel about it. It was a very easy read that leans hard into heartwarming and uplifting, and I really liked the MC's dynamic with his parents. His relationship with them and with his co-worker were both sweet and funny in a realistic way, but when the love interest got involved, the realism started to slip a little. (Also, for those who care, it is set at Christmas time and you can really feel the ambiance of Christmas decorations everywhere, but that's the only Christmas-y thing about it.)

[Rachwithheadinabook · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh my, firstly I DID enjoy this but I spent quite a bit of time wondering what it was I was reading, Dan is possibly on the spectrum not that it is stated anywhere, but he is undeniably quirky, one of the quirkiest characters I’ve read in a long time, along with his work colleague Gemma, it’s full of those random conversations that make no sense to anyone other than themselves and yet this is a very sweet novella about finding your match. I do hope that this is the beginning of a new series with more from Dan and John, I want to know more about the vampire walk!

[Shweta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, sweet novella with just the right dose of comedy and romance.
This one was a fun read where in we meet the quirky, vampire/pattern loving Dan and his new obsession- his coworker John Taylor who in all his charming self is every bit as mysterious as a vampire.
With some adorable side characters in Gemma and Dan's parents, we enjoy Dan's quirks and thoughts as John and him strike a flirty, friendly bond and undeniably, will and always shall lead to romance.
The comic dialogues are a treat, so is the satirical take on popular things, both fantasy and reality.
Looking for a short read with a few laughs, this one's for ya!

[ButtonsMom2003 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very quirky story and I’m not exactly sure how to rate it. I found the writing style a little difficult to follow at times but the story did hold my interest and I finished it. So I’m going to go with 3 stars. I think I’d like to know a little more about the characters so I’d read a follow up story if one is written.

An advanced copy of this book was provided to me at my request by Gay Romance Reviews but my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author.

[Susan Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It took me a bit to get used to the characters. They are fun, quirky and endearing.

Dan loves vampires, Dr. Who and Red Dwarf. Dan is a bit awkward, has anxiety, but is a total sweetheart.

John works for the same employer, but on another floor. They are both so cute as they meet each other.

I loved the characters and the fun things they say. This was a fun, sweet story.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Light and sweet
I liked this book for the most part. The biggest issue I had is that it’s got too much dialogue. The characters talk so much, and some of it is very inane chatter, that a lot of the context is missing. As a reader I liked the characters, but they felt like work acquaintances from a different branch, not good friends. I’ll try this author again, because despite that there’s. Lot of food here.

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was quirky, cute, adorable, and fun. I loved this book from page one. Grey has this fabulous way of making Dan seem both odd and perfectly ordinary at the same time, as though you could run into him while you strolled down the street. The story might be short, but there's a lot crammed into it, and the characters had more depth than I was expecting for such a quick read. A wonderful, light-hearted read for any time of the year!

[Kkhmonrai · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this sweet, strange story. All the main and side characters were all just a bit odd, but that is part of what made them so endearing to me. I loved Dan for all his shy nerdiness. He seemed almost autistic or OCD with his fixation on things and his parents were equally strange. This is a new-to-me author and I will definitely looking be looking for more from them.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Janet Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dan was hilarious at times, nerdy with a touch of OCD. The story, a short novella was fun to read. I’d love to read more about Dan and John. They were cute and little bit quirky. I’m voluntarily leaving a review from an advanced copy that I received. My reviews are solely based on my thoughts and opinions.

[Flick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, quirky, something a bit different!

I really liked this. It took me a second to get used to the style, but once you get into the flow it’s adorably odd (in all the most wonderful ways). The characters are sweet and come across as people because of their idiosyncrasies. I hadn’t read this author’s work before but will definitely be keeping my eye out!

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

He is a temp and he does not enjoy his job what with all the newcomers coming and going. He watches out the window and he is surprised when a moral appears. He wonders who did it and why. Then they appear and things get more interesting. Who painted the moral? Who are they? Can something happen between them? See how it all goes

[Anabela.M. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this book. Although I mostly liked the characters and some parts of the plot have been entertaining, I had difficulty in following the story. The writing was peculiar and many details just didn't make sense to me.

[Ida Umphers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this offbeat story of Dan and his co-workers and John. Watching everyone get involved in Dan's life all with the best intentions and Dan and John gently sussing each other out and finding friendship and more made for an intriguing and satisfying read.

[Arllau · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet short quirky story of boy meets boy. Dan and John are a perfect match. I hope to see them again.
I received this book as an Advanced Reader's Copy.

[RACHEL REED · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet opposites attract romance

Such a great book with a solid storyline and great characters.

I eagerly look forward to reading more from this author.

A definite recommend

[Cheryl_cajun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for the ARC read, I voluntarily give this book an honest review. This was very entertaining read filled with hilarious moment of the scattered brain awkward accountant that dreams of a whimsical fantasy. Dan's parents are a hoot, Gemma has away about her that is just amazing and tickling the way she is with Dan.
This December Dan was about to have more to look forward to than just the Doctor on a new Christmas take over. Which geek here, I love the special seasons!  Dan has a wonderfully active imagination, as he day dreams of the old factory he would love to own. Will he discover the mysterious tenant of the old building? Fingers crossed a vampire? What of John Taylor, is he the prince of darkness that he dreams of.

[Hua · Rating 4 out of 5]

Freekin hilarious! Just what I needed

[Fay MMBookworm · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mixed thoughts for this novella.

[Lindsay · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this novella, however it was really confusing for me. I read almost 900 MM books this year thus far so I was hopeful given the blurb. The dialog was confusing and hard to follow and I really felt that I needed more information to understand the characters, plot and what was really happening. I will say individually I really liked the characters and thought Dan and his family had a few hilarious dialogues. I just wish there was more of plot development in order to really enjoy the story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Allyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded to 4. This story is adorable and quirky, a quick little romance between two socially awkward men who seem perfect for each other. I love all of the characters. I wish it was longer and more developed.

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5
" Right back to school sports day, Christmas plays, friendships, and potential boyfriends: Dan was used to not being picked"

Sweet story about being different. Dan live his day with anxieties. His passions that keep him feeling safe. He wishes everyone wore sweaters with slogans saying purpose. He can't understand people. He's doing his first job after finish school and works in an office. He obsess about everything and speak words loud when he nervous. He's is good worker but he expect when the year end he won't be asked to stay, because he used to not being the one picked.
A new boy start called John Taylor. They chat shy and sweet. They have coffee and things start to change.
This short, free story about not being picked can change into being picked finding love acceptance.
Beautiful.

[Fran · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story has me at a loss.
I'm not sure what I just read. Vampires, knobs office romance, a derelict building (I'm guessing
this), crazy co-worker; all jumbled together. Since this is my ARC review, I felt obligated to finish this. I just didn't get this author's writing style. There isn't a 2.5-star rating, so I gave it 3 stars.