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Just Between Us
Some secrets are meant to stay hidden.
Ryan wants to be more than Sam’s childhood friend; he’s wanted more for a long time. Afraid of pushing Sam away, Ryan kept his fantasies hidden. As a charming clean-cut high school English teacher, Ryan has been able to date attractive women from time to time to keep up the charade.
Sam, a popular prize-winning romance author, is everything Ryan could want. His devilishly handsome face and well-built tall figure has his many fans drooling over him and not just his books. Despite the attention, Sam prefers to stay under the radar.
One night, Sam asks Ryan’s opinion on writing a gay romance novel instead of his usual heterosexual romances. Why is he asking Ryan?
Is Sam trying to get Ryan to fess up? Will Ryan’s secret end their relationship for good or change it into something new?
Ryan wants to be more than Sam’s childhood friend; he’s wanted more for a long time. Afraid of pushing Sam away, Ryan kept his fantasies hidden. As a charming clean-cut high school English teacher, Ryan has been able to date attractive women from time to time to keep up the charade.
Sam, a popular prize-winning romance author, is everything Ryan could want. His devilishly handsome face and well-built tall figure has his many fans drooling over him and not just his books. Despite the attention, Sam prefers to stay under the radar.
One night, Sam asks Ryan’s opinion on writing a gay romance novel instead of his usual heterosexual romances. Why is he asking Ryan?
Is Sam trying to get Ryan to fess up? Will Ryan’s secret end their relationship for good or change it into something new?
51 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 21, 2013
57 people want to read
About the author
J.J. Scotts
11 books78 followersJ.J. Scotts began writing fiction as a hobby during college. She loves writing romance stories and has taken an interest in writing m/m romance.
Other than writing and having a rather dull job, J.J. likes to go hiking and rock climbing. She lives happily with her loving husband, friendly dogs, and lazy cat in sunny California.
You can email her at jjscottsbx@gmail.com
Other than writing and having a rather dull job, J.J. likes to go hiking and rock climbing. She lives happily with her loving husband, friendly dogs, and lazy cat in sunny California.
You can email her at jjscottsbx@gmail.com
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
January 23, 2014
Well
hello
Ryan and Sam.
This was a short and steamy friends- to-lovers story from a new author that I really liked. This is a story about friends from way back who have maintained their friendship into adulthood. Ryan is a teacher and Sam is a successful author. Ryan has been in love with Sam since their younger days, but has never confessed his feelings. He thinks Sam is straight and would never do anything to jeopardize their friendship even if it does leave him lonely and a little frustrated. This is mostly told from Ryan’s POV so I could feel his trepidation in the back of the limo when the guys are heading home after dinner together and Sam tells Ryan about the characters in his new romance novel. Sam is breaking his pattern and the love interests in his next book are both male, Ryan is surprised, but not for the reason Sam thinks.
What starts as an experimental kiss leads to panting confessions and some seriously steamy scenes. From the back of the limo to Sam’s bedroom, the two connect and make up for over a decade of unrequited lust. I’m a little leery about calling it love just yet. I could definitely feel Ryan’s love for Sam given the story is told from his perspective, I just didn’t get enough of Sam to feel confident in his love for Ryan. There were a couple of glimpses of his feelings, just not quite enough to take it to Ryan’s level and I wanted that for Ryan.
It was a really pretty well flushed out short story from a previously unpublished author and I would definitely read more of her work. There were a few editing issues, but I’ve seen a lot more from authors with dozens of books to their name, so it wasn’t anything that really took me out of the story. There were a few descriptions during the sex scenes that were a little gratuitous and I wanted to just reword a sentence or two to make them a little less cliché and more personal for Ryan and Sam.
Overall I would recommend this steamy short after a heavy angst filled read when you just need a break and need to clear the cobwebs. It’ll take you to a sexy happy place with likable characters I wanted to know more about.
A copy of this story was provided by the author for an honest review
This was a short and steamy friends- to-lovers story from a new author that I really liked. This is a story about friends from way back who have maintained their friendship into adulthood. Ryan is a teacher and Sam is a successful author. Ryan has been in love with Sam since their younger days, but has never confessed his feelings. He thinks Sam is straight and would never do anything to jeopardize their friendship even if it does leave him lonely and a little frustrated. This is mostly told from Ryan’s POV so I could feel his trepidation in the back of the limo when the guys are heading home after dinner together and Sam tells Ryan about the characters in his new romance novel. Sam is breaking his pattern and the love interests in his next book are both male, Ryan is surprised, but not for the reason Sam thinks.
What starts as an experimental kiss leads to panting confessions and some seriously steamy scenes. From the back of the limo to Sam’s bedroom, the two connect and make up for over a decade of unrequited lust. I’m a little leery about calling it love just yet. I could definitely feel Ryan’s love for Sam given the story is told from his perspective, I just didn’t get enough of Sam to feel confident in his love for Ryan. There were a couple of glimpses of his feelings, just not quite enough to take it to Ryan’s level and I wanted that for Ryan.
It was a really pretty well flushed out short story from a previously unpublished author and I would definitely read more of her work. There were a few editing issues, but I’ve seen a lot more from authors with dozens of books to their name, so it wasn’t anything that really took me out of the story. There were a few descriptions during the sex scenes that were a little gratuitous and I wanted to just reword a sentence or two to make them a little less cliché and more personal for Ryan and Sam.
Overall I would recommend this steamy short after a heavy angst filled read when you just need a break and need to clear the cobwebs. It’ll take you to a sexy happy place with likable characters I wanted to know more about.
A copy of this story was provided by the author for an honest review
April 24, 2014
15 minutes it took to read this one.
It was like watching pornhub.
Best friends gettin it on
It was like watching pornhub.
Best friends gettin it on
July 14, 2017
I am so disappointed.
This story had every element for me to like it. The premise was exactly my thing.
Except the excecution was a complete fail. The pace was really off (even in a story so short it could have been better handled), and it was really off-putting.
The characters' chemistry was there, but it was badly explored.
I don't know how to explain it, this just didn't work for me. I was expecting more... Substance. I'm deeply dissatisfied by this.
This story had every element for me to like it. The premise was exactly my thing.
Except the excecution was a complete fail. The pace was really off (even in a story so short it could have been better handled), and it was really off-putting.
The characters' chemistry was there, but it was badly explored.
I don't know how to explain it, this just didn't work for me. I was expecting more... Substance. I'm deeply dissatisfied by this.
December 28, 2013
3.5 Stars
This is the first book I've read by this author but it won't be the last. I liked her writing style and the characters she created. This story is about Ryan, a teacher, and Sam, a writer. Childhood friends, Ryan and Sam have secretly had feelings for each other for over a decade. When Sam reveals to Ryan that his next book will feature a steamy m/m romance, the two finally find the courage to admit their feelings for one another. The book is quite short so we really only get their mutual revelations followed by a steamy, smexy scene. It all ends quite abruptly with a HFN, which was my biggest gripe.
Bottom line: too little of a good thing.
I was provided a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is the first book I've read by this author but it won't be the last. I liked her writing style and the characters she created. This story is about Ryan, a teacher, and Sam, a writer. Childhood friends, Ryan and Sam have secretly had feelings for each other for over a decade. When Sam reveals to Ryan that his next book will feature a steamy m/m romance, the two finally find the courage to admit their feelings for one another. The book is quite short so we really only get their mutual revelations followed by a steamy, smexy scene. It all ends quite abruptly with a HFN, which was my biggest gripe.
Bottom line: too little of a good thing.
I was provided a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
February 27, 2014
This was enjoyable but pretty much falls into the PWP category in my opinion. Not a lot of substance here, but a very nice way to pass 30 minutes, to be sure.
January 18, 2014
REVIEW:
I was asked by the author if I wanted to review this book and I accepted as I really liked the blurb, and I have to say the story starts out great.
It’s so fun to meet Ryan, seeing him in his classroom, the way he talks, it’s all very nice. When Sam is mentioned you can already sense that there is something there.
And yes it turns out to be Sam, Ryan’s best friend since childhood and his secret crush for almost as long.
When, as the blurb says, one night all bets are off, things take an unexpected turn.
And what a turn it is. Where the first part is based on meeting Ryan finding out his love for Sam, from the moment we meet Sam things change drastically.
I loved the sensual chemistry between them, the attraction and the playful set up from Sam.
When Sam indeed makes his move as he’s feeling like Ryan felt for a long time things get hot and heavy fast.
For me I have to say that is when I became a bit disappointed in this story.
The latter part of the story is just sex. I have to admit it’s hot, sexy, sensual, sweet, loving sex but still sex. The author finds words and way to mention kissing and all sexual acts in like 10 different meanings but still it all comes down to that same thing.
Where I seriously liked the beginning with the set up and the tension between the characters, I honestly think it’s a shame that the rest of the story is only based on their sexual encounter.
There isn’t even anything after that. It starts with that encounter and ends with it. I would have loved to have read more about them together and how they are going to go on from there.
This story has so much potential and the writing I really have to say is well done. The style of the author is nice although the over extensive use of everything with kissing and sex is a bit much but seeing this is a first book from this author I have to say there is definitely more to it.
For the most part I liked the book so I am giving it a small 3 stars also reminding myself that it is a first work and there is definitely potential.
And an extra note to compliment the beautiful cover!
Good luck to the author on their next work(s)
Review posted at :
http://sidlove.com/2014/01/18/book-re...
I was asked by the author if I wanted to review this book and I accepted as I really liked the blurb, and I have to say the story starts out great.
It’s so fun to meet Ryan, seeing him in his classroom, the way he talks, it’s all very nice. When Sam is mentioned you can already sense that there is something there.
And yes it turns out to be Sam, Ryan’s best friend since childhood and his secret crush for almost as long.
When, as the blurb says, one night all bets are off, things take an unexpected turn.
And what a turn it is. Where the first part is based on meeting Ryan finding out his love for Sam, from the moment we meet Sam things change drastically.
I loved the sensual chemistry between them, the attraction and the playful set up from Sam.
When Sam indeed makes his move as he’s feeling like Ryan felt for a long time things get hot and heavy fast.
For me I have to say that is when I became a bit disappointed in this story.
The latter part of the story is just sex. I have to admit it’s hot, sexy, sensual, sweet, loving sex but still sex. The author finds words and way to mention kissing and all sexual acts in like 10 different meanings but still it all comes down to that same thing.
Where I seriously liked the beginning with the set up and the tension between the characters, I honestly think it’s a shame that the rest of the story is only based on their sexual encounter.
There isn’t even anything after that. It starts with that encounter and ends with it. I would have loved to have read more about them together and how they are going to go on from there.
This story has so much potential and the writing I really have to say is well done. The style of the author is nice although the over extensive use of everything with kissing and sex is a bit much but seeing this is a first book from this author I have to say there is definitely more to it.
For the most part I liked the book so I am giving it a small 3 stars also reminding myself that it is a first work and there is definitely potential.
And an extra note to compliment the beautiful cover!
Good luck to the author on their next work(s)
Review posted at :
http://sidlove.com/2014/01/18/book-re...
February 14, 2014
I was given the book Just Between Us by the author for an honest review.
This story centers around one day in the life of Ryan, a high school English teacher, and his best friend Sam, a prize winning romance author. Ryan has harbored unrequited love and lust for his best friend for as long as he can remember and he’s never acted on it.
This story centers around one day in the life of Ryan, a high school English teacher, and his best friend Sam, a prize winning romance author. Ryan has harbored unrequited love and lust for his best friend for as long as he can remember and he’s never acted on it.
January 3, 2014
A true friendship can be the most valuable thing in your life. It wasn't very difficult to empathize with Ryan and his reasons for keeping his attraction and desires about Sam a secret. Let's face it, those are tough things for men to talk about at the best of times, so fearing the ending of a best friend relationship that has lasted thirteen years is a legitimate reason to keep quiet.
Ryan is a high school English teacher. His best friend, Sam, is a well published author of romantic suspense novels. Heterosexual romantic suspense. Ryan has never told Sam he's gay and he's never told him he's been in love with Sam for years. What would be the point? Sam is straight and Ryan will do anything to not lose their friendship. Now Sam is home from his latest book tour and it looks like he wants to talk to Ryan about an idea he has to write a gay male romance. Huh. Wonder where he got that idea?
'Just Between Us' is JJ Scotts' first published work and although the story line was exceedingly predictable, I thought the author did a very good job. Considering it is a short story, the author created likable characters, good dialogue, and a fairly intense sex scene. It would have been nice to have it fleshed out a little more, but overall I enjoyed it. Good job, JJ!
NOTE: This book was provided by the author for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Ryan is a high school English teacher. His best friend, Sam, is a well published author of romantic suspense novels. Heterosexual romantic suspense. Ryan has never told Sam he's gay and he's never told him he's been in love with Sam for years. What would be the point? Sam is straight and Ryan will do anything to not lose their friendship. Now Sam is home from his latest book tour and it looks like he wants to talk to Ryan about an idea he has to write a gay male romance. Huh. Wonder where he got that idea?
'Just Between Us' is JJ Scotts' first published work and although the story line was exceedingly predictable, I thought the author did a very good job. Considering it is a short story, the author created likable characters, good dialogue, and a fairly intense sex scene. It would have been nice to have it fleshed out a little more, but overall I enjoyed it. Good job, JJ!
NOTE: This book was provided by the author for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
June 21, 2015
Clearly this was Ryan’s best day ever!!! I can’t complain for a kindle unlimited 50 pager this was pretty good. Steamy but not much conversation. A lot of internal dialogue. There were some flips between Ryan and Sam’s though that caused confusion. I felt for it being so short and with Sam’s internal dialogue being so few and far between that it would have been better to just keep it all from Ryan’s perspective.
December 21, 2014
A short and sweet friends to lovers story. Very little plot, but lots of smexy goodness!
December 2, 2025
This book was a easy read and easy to follow, I just myself stop starting before I got to the end of the book. I feel like there were parts of this book that could have been taken out and the book would have still had a nice flow to it.
July 18, 2020
God what heat and love. Read in private first me your face will show everything and it's all good
January 2, 2014
Ryan has loved, and lusted for, his best friend Sam for 13 years— half his lifetime, but Sam is a very well-known and successful author and— he’s straight. Unrequited love, slow burn, sexual tension, all mark the beginnings of this story, and it’s all that I love.
Both men are tall, athletic and handsome. Ryan is a high school teacher who’s the target of many of his students’ crushes. Sam, known world-wide for his steamy, romantic novels, has been away on a promotional tour, and when he gets into town he calls Ryan to arrange to pick him up for dinner. The tension in the confines of the chauffer-driven limo is high, the sexual tension that is. And after dinner, it explodes when Sam confesses that his next book will feature two men. Ryan is stunned by this, and when Sam confesses that he’s not unfamiliar with what he needs to write, the truth comes out in sensual, steamy encounter in the back of the limo.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It’s short, taking place primarily in the course of one evening, but it packs a punch, and I’m delighted to have had a chance to read it. I highly recommend this if you like the slow buildup of sexual tension, the concept of friends to lovers, or simply a highly romantic and erotic short story that will make your day more interesting.
Note: A copy of this book was provided to me from the author for an impartial review.
Both men are tall, athletic and handsome. Ryan is a high school teacher who’s the target of many of his students’ crushes. Sam, known world-wide for his steamy, romantic novels, has been away on a promotional tour, and when he gets into town he calls Ryan to arrange to pick him up for dinner. The tension in the confines of the chauffer-driven limo is high, the sexual tension that is. And after dinner, it explodes when Sam confesses that his next book will feature two men. Ryan is stunned by this, and when Sam confesses that he’s not unfamiliar with what he needs to write, the truth comes out in sensual, steamy encounter in the back of the limo.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It’s short, taking place primarily in the course of one evening, but it packs a punch, and I’m delighted to have had a chance to read it. I highly recommend this if you like the slow buildup of sexual tension, the concept of friends to lovers, or simply a highly romantic and erotic short story that will make your day more interesting.
Note: A copy of this book was provided to me from the author for an impartial review.
January 11, 2014
This book was given to me in exchange for an honest review.
This short story has an interesting premise that I was excited to read. I do love stories where the characters spend years holding back their feelings in fear of jeopardizing a good friendship.
There's no real sense of the characters' personalities nor is there any development. At times, I felt certain moments in the story were over-explained without any real need for it. E.g. a whole paragraph of Ryan recollecting how Sam frowned back in the day and the beginning of the story with the classroom scene.
I enjoyed the story. The plotline was minimal but the sex was hot and plentiful.
While the story is enjoyable, the $2.99 price tag for a 51 page/12,100 word-story is rather steep for a story that is honestly not particularly memorable. However, I am giving it an extra star as this is the first published effort by this author. While this story is rough around the edges, there is a lot of promise in the writing.
This short story has an interesting premise that I was excited to read. I do love stories where the characters spend years holding back their feelings in fear of jeopardizing a good friendship.
There's no real sense of the characters' personalities nor is there any development. At times, I felt certain moments in the story were over-explained without any real need for it. E.g. a whole paragraph of Ryan recollecting how Sam frowned back in the day and the beginning of the story with the classroom scene.
I enjoyed the story. The plotline was minimal but the sex was hot and plentiful.
While the story is enjoyable, the $2.99 price tag for a 51 page/12,100 word-story is rather steep for a story that is honestly not particularly memorable. However, I am giving it an extra star as this is the first published effort by this author. While this story is rough around the edges, there is a lot of promise in the writing.
January 5, 2014
3.5 Stars. I was given this by the author to review.
This is a friends to lovers story about Ryan, a HS English teacher and his best friend, best selling author Sam. Ryan has been in love with Sam for years, but believes Sam is straight and he doesn't want to jepardize their friendship.
The events take place over the course of 1 evening, when Sam call Ryan and asks him to join I'm for dinner at their favorite burger place. On the way back from dinner Sam, who writes romantic thrillers, tells Ryan about his next book, and asks "What would you say if I told you that the leads for the next book are both men?"
And that is where the fun begins.
I really enjoyed this story, Ryan and Sam seemed like good guys who had strong feelings for each other for a long time, but were afraid to act on them. My only issue with the story is I wish it was longer. I would have liked to have seen more of their backstory and see where their relationship would go.
This is a friends to lovers story about Ryan, a HS English teacher and his best friend, best selling author Sam. Ryan has been in love with Sam for years, but believes Sam is straight and he doesn't want to jepardize their friendship.
The events take place over the course of 1 evening, when Sam call Ryan and asks him to join I'm for dinner at their favorite burger place. On the way back from dinner Sam, who writes romantic thrillers, tells Ryan about his next book, and asks "What would you say if I told you that the leads for the next book are both men?"
And that is where the fun begins.
I really enjoyed this story, Ryan and Sam seemed like good guys who had strong feelings for each other for a long time, but were afraid to act on them. My only issue with the story is I wish it was longer. I would have liked to have seen more of their backstory and see where their relationship would go.
July 20, 2016
I enjoyed the story. The majority of the novella is essentially one encounter, but the pacing is smooth and the description thorough (really thorough). The character of Ryan was a little more developed than Sam simply because he got more book time. Sam is still well portrayed mostly due to Ryan's recollections.
That being said, the story is a little on the short side, but I feel most books are. It is a novella. The author still portrayed what she wanted, an important night in the life of two friends.
I read voraciously and I am a word junkie/snob, I pick apart a book as I read it and I am distracted from the story by bad editing. So yes, there were a couple of timeline errors and a few dropped words. But the authors writing and final published work is very clean.
I will be watching for other stories from Ms. Scotts and have already recommended Just Between Us to Several friends.
Be advised: I was supplied a copy of this work for an honest review.
That being said, the story is a little on the short side, but I feel most books are. It is a novella. The author still portrayed what she wanted, an important night in the life of two friends.
I read voraciously and I am a word junkie/snob, I pick apart a book as I read it and I am distracted from the story by bad editing. So yes, there were a couple of timeline errors and a few dropped words. But the authors writing and final published work is very clean.
I will be watching for other stories from Ms. Scotts and have already recommended Just Between Us to Several friends.
Be advised: I was supplied a copy of this work for an honest review.
March 9, 2014
3.5 stars
The debut book from this author and I have to say I liked it and will be keeping an eye on her future works. This book was a little erotic read about best friends Ryan and Sam. Ryan has had a crush on Sam for 13 years. On the night Sam finishes his promotional tour for his book, he returns to the city and invites Ryan out for dinner. On the way home from dinner, Sam drops the bomb on Ryan. His next book will feature two male leads and he used to experiment in college.
Ryan was quite cute at the start of the story charming readers with his teaching abilities and interaction with his students. The camaraderie between Ryan and Sam was also cute and the sex was explosive.
Some of the terminology used during foreplay and sex sounded a bit funny to me and just a tad corny but other than that I enjoyed it.
The debut book from this author and I have to say I liked it and will be keeping an eye on her future works. This book was a little erotic read about best friends Ryan and Sam. Ryan has had a crush on Sam for 13 years. On the night Sam finishes his promotional tour for his book, he returns to the city and invites Ryan out for dinner. On the way home from dinner, Sam drops the bomb on Ryan. His next book will feature two male leads and he used to experiment in college.
Ryan was quite cute at the start of the story charming readers with his teaching abilities and interaction with his students. The camaraderie between Ryan and Sam was also cute and the sex was explosive.
Some of the terminology used during foreplay and sex sounded a bit funny to me and just a tad corny but other than that I enjoyed it.
January 4, 2014
Ryan and Sam have been friends since they were young boys. Supposedly straight friends. Ryan is a high school teacher and Sam is a romance author. When Sam decides to write a book based on two men....well let's just say the sparks fly!!
I thought the author's style of writing was just right. No overuse of hokey language. The conversations felt real and flowed really well. My only complaint would be is that it was too short. There is a very long sex scene that I would not have minded being cut a little shorter so that more build up could have occurred.
Overall the book was very well-written and I will be looking for more from this author!!
I thought the author's style of writing was just right. No overuse of hokey language. The conversations felt real and flowed really well. My only complaint would be is that it was too short. There is a very long sex scene that I would not have minded being cut a little shorter so that more build up could have occurred.
Overall the book was very well-written and I will be looking for more from this author!!
January 4, 2014
Super short story, but I enjoyed it. Some of the adjectives bothered me at times only because they seemed excessive and unnecessary.
I needed a quick, easy, fun read after some of the more serious books I've read lately. This was perfect for that!
3.5
I needed a quick, easy, fun read after some of the more serious books I've read lately. This was perfect for that!
3.5
February 13, 2014
Hot Hot Hot!!!
February 27, 2014
Hot, sexy and satisfying!
March 1, 2014
3.5 stars
May 8, 2014
3.5 smokin stars!
May 16, 2014
HAWT. Short, sweet, well written smut. I'll take it.
May 19, 2014
Well shit! I would have given this 5★'s had there been more. I want more! I liked this and could use with some more of these two. There is a huge story here! More!
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews