Pumpkin Bryce

Hotblooded Holidays #6

by Alex Winters

This October, leaves aren’t the only things falling hard in Cedar Falls, Tennessee…

Bryce Balthazar is in love. Or at least, lust. In lust with the sexy young stud who walks by the café window where he sits, day after day, admiring the lean, almost predatory gait of the handsome stranger he just can’t get enough of. And so, he sits, day after day, listening to racy audiobooks on his cell phone. Audiobooks narrated by none other than the Mystery Man with the panther-like gait and smile of easy, cocky Tay.

Tay Caruthers narrates erotic novels for a living, spending five days a week in a rented studio in downtown Cedar Falls, Tennessee, reading racy love stories aloud while having meaningless, random sex with studs from his well-used dating apps. Or, at least, he used to. Used to, that is, until he caught sight of the sexy, doughy, adorable nerd in the Corner Café window one day. Ever since, Tay his given up on random sex and used his lonely nights to fantasize instead. Fantasize about what might happen if he and Bryce should ever meet. When they finally do, it’s not just sparks that ignite but a love affair that surprises them both and defies the odds. Can opposites really attract? Or will Bryce and Tay’s obvious differences make it impossible for them to have their own happily ever after?

PUBLISHER Contemporary Erotic M/M Romance. Interracial. Nerd Vs Jock Romance. 27,600 words. All characters depicted in this work of fiction are 18 years of age or older.

110 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 27, 2023

About the author

Alex Winters is an Amazon bestselling romance author with a passion for holiday music, junk food, cheesy 80s horror movies and Epcot. His series feature a variety of romantic pairings (M/F, M/M, F/F AND MMF) and include Campus Crush (Evernight), Slightly Sinful (Siren Publishing), Good Sports (Ninestar Press), High-Stakes Heroines (JMS Books) and more. His stories tend to be sizzling and sweet, with a whole lot of laughs – and spice – along the way!

Reviews

[Brenda Moser · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well written book with strong characters in Bryce and Tay. The author takes you into their lives as they fantasize about each other. Sparks fly as the romance grows. He moves the story quickly and smoothly with his descriptive scenes and delivers an enjoyable read.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.

[Babara-Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

SWEET PINING AND CRUSHES!

Two lonely souls reach out to each other in this short, steamy sweet, poignant story.

A sweet cinnamon roll of a man with a low self esteem. Bryce Balthazar crushes on the tall, dark and sexy man that always walks past the coffee shop he frequents… Tay Caruthers sex personified and narrator of the steamy erotic novels he listens to….

Tay a reformed player, tired of hookups and one nighters is smitten with the curvaceous blonde hunk in the window he passes every day as he just knows this guy is different- but why does he not make a move?

Maybe with the help from a coffee barista Bryce will eventually gain courage to make a subtle move?

One or both eventually makes a move after a three month tease- this is their story to find acceptance, self love and above all love! ❤️

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

[Julymar · Rating 4 out of 5]

great book the way they were both to shy to act was good. was short but good really liked the way these characters fit together.

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

[DLB2572 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This opposites attract story was very sweet to read. Both Bryce and Tay were attracted to each other but scared to make something happen. It was interesting to follow their developing relationship as things finally processed to more.

I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion

[casvec · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pumpkin Bryce warmed my heart and made me smile. I loved the characters and how they both noticed each other and found out a bit of each other before taking the leap to meet.

I don't know which character out of this story I love the most. Byrce and Tay are cute together but Cora, from the recording studio, and Sasha at the coffee shop make the perfect wing women.

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

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wishing and Hoping . . .

Bryce Balthazar, pale and pudgy, spends his time watching a gorgeous guy who wanders past the café every day. The guy is slender, athletic, and attractive, with a confident way of moving that captures Bryce’s attention. Bryce entertains himself listening to racy audiobooks on his cell phone, the narrator with the wonderful voice being none other than the sexy guy he watches daily. He found his business card on the wall near the bathroom and kept it so others wouldn’t end up calling the guy he was crushing on.

Tay Caruthers is a narrator for various novels. He records the books in a small soundproofed Cedar Falls recording studio he rented. Bored of his many hookups, he takes notice of the cute nerd who watches him when he walks past a local café. (You do not want to miss the scene where he finally figures out how to find out his watcher’s name!) Will they ever get to meet in person? Will they start a relationship when they are so different from each other? Or will Tay teach Bryce to see himself as Bryce sees him and learn what it means to be loved?

[C.B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life is good with a little help from friends. Tay with the sexy voice, narrates exotic novels. He spends the rest of his time having random trysts with available men. Then he notices a man who sits in the café he walks by. His philandering days are done and he has a new focus. Bryce, sits in the cafe listening to the sexy voice narrating the exotic novels he likes to listen to. He also admires the man who walks by whose gait is deliberate predatory, purposful and perfect. Both men carry enough baggage that makes first meeting more of a scramble not to drop said baggage. Sweet, sexy, fun story. Great characters, nice flow and terrifically funny. Nicely done! I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really sweet story of Bryce, a young man who sees himself as pudgy, someone no one would love and stay with, and Tay, a handsome young man, tired of constant hookups, wanting someone of his own to love. When the two notice each other, Bryce in the coffee shop, Tay walking by, both start fantasizing about the other, but it takes months to actually meet.

The basis for a relationship is there, the physical attraction is there, but Bryce expects nothing more than one night with Tay and to wake up alone in the morning. It is up to Tay to convince Bryce that to really have more, he must love himself first before he can truly show love to another, and that will be Tay’s mission.
“Love yourself, see yourself the way I do.”

Really positive message about loving and accepting who you are the way you are instead of basing that love and acceptance only on when you reach your idea of the “perfect you”.

Relatable characters, all too realistic portrayal of Bryce and a self-image problem based on weight, and a loving and caring partner willing to fight to change that image to one of loving himself.

Fairly quick read, just over 100 pages, but a satisfying one.

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

[LJ Henley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh these two!! This is so sweet and I don't even like pumpkin flavored drinks! There was something about Bryce that touched me. Maybe there's something in him that is in all of us. An uncertainty that we are good enough, thin enough, smart enough? Or just enough? Watching Tay walk to and from his job as a book narrator is the highlight of his day. And listening to his voice on the books he narrates is almost as good as talking to him... right?

Tay is a stud on legs. He has been a one night wonder, a hit then don't miss em, and otherwise a player. But those quick feel goods leaves him wanting more. A two word sentence.. A relationship. But as he walks to work and home each day he sees a guy that sets his heart a goin' and he reverts to a shy muscled mass of scared to talk to him. Feeling vulnerable is a new thing for Tay and he finally finds the grit to find out his name then call it out when he sees Bryce.

The slow burn for these two men are so worth reading. I rooted for both of them! Well worth the read and I urge you to do it if you want a sweet, no angst, hot read. Well written.

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

[Marty Hamrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alex Winters has a real talent for writing stories with utterly mundane and normal settings, characters, or scenarios, and making them whimsical, fun, and achingly sweet in such a way that you can say to yourself "Oh, I wish that would happen to me," and it's entirely plausible that it COULD happen to you. This is suuuuuch a sweet, "pining for the cute guy you think you can't have" story about two people who don't even know they're on each other's radar, let alone that the pining is mutual. It's so well-written, and the pacing is excellent; even the inner emotional turmoil (and frustrating self-smack talking) are relatable and realistic, and makes this such a great story overall. My only complaint is that I wish we could actually get more of the actual relationship as it develops.

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

[Nina Diab · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Isn’t this about the time when your man crush strolls home from work? Sunglasses on? Backpack slung over one shoulder? Looking straight forward as if he’s not checking you out, too?”
Bryce snorted. “Yeah, right. Dude doesn’t even know I’m alive.”
Sasha rolled her eyes, crossing her long, copper-colored legs as she sighed heavily. “Guys are so stupid.”

I really enjoyed this book. It was a sweet read. Bryce sits in a café listening to Tay's book narrations waiting to see him walking by after work. They've never met, but he thinks the man wouldn't be interested in him because of his weight. Tay narrates steamy audiobooks and is tired of hook ups. He wants a relationship and has been crushing on a guy he sees sitting in the café. He'd been fantasizing about him, and had his own insecurities and doubts. I couldn't wait for these two to meet! They were so cute together. 4 stars

[Reatha Klein · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book!! This is definitely my favorite Alex Winters book ever and I'm not sure any other could take that away. Just the title drew me in and the blurb was enough for me to know I would love this book. Then I read it and it was beyond what I thought it would be. I could just feel what Bryce was feeling. I've got a some extra weight now and I have really low self esteem because of it. I just loved him so much and I how Tay trying to show him that he should love himself. It was just a story that I could really relate to and the way the author wrote the characters made them feel so real to me. This is a great book for anyone needing a little pick me up. I can't put into words how much I loved this one.

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

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tay & Bryce
Rating: 3.0 ⭐

- Opposites Attract
- Mutual Pining
- MM Romance Narrator/Care and Compassion Counselor

This is a short and sweet read about two men who watched each other from afar for months imagining their very own meet cutes. I liked that with Tay being a book narrator the author put in snippets of the books he was reading aloud. You got see the passages as Tay was narrating or when Bryce was listening to it from the coffee shop window. Once these two finally meet in person it's a little awkward and they need a redo. The sparks fly between these two regardless and I really liked the way these characters fit together.

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

Verse: No
HEA: HFN

[Polli.p · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classic Alex Winters. Really genuine likeable characters doing what comes naturally! Always cute stories, always real, always on trend. Winters is a master character creator - he must be an avid people watcher! Here Bryce and Tay overcome their awkwardness and doubts and find happiness.

Loved the way Winters dealt with Bryce's weight issues and his body consciousness. Maybe guys deal with this stuff better than women do. Anyway it was great to read it real and that's what Winter's does best! This is an interesting, intense, and very intimate story bursting with chemistry and all the feels you need in a great read!.

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

[Kitchen Sink Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful book, filled with the joy of the season it is set in and with so much love, pure, honest love that it is impossible not to fall in love, fall head over heels with both Tay and Bryce.

At first glance they are complete opposites and in fact they may still be by the end of the book but then again they say opposites attract and this story goes to show how true this is.

Tay is an audio actor, he spends his days narrating erotic audiobooks, a role he fell into entirely by accident but that, most of the time he loves. Recently it has become more and more difficult to concentrate on the roles he is playing, his mind is busy. Three months ago and he would have had no problem calling up a quick date, after all he was a player. Now he has eyes for only one man and the player days are behind him. If only he could summon the courage to find out the man's name and speak to him. Oh he sees him daily, in the window of the coffee shop as he walks to and from work sneaking glances...

Bryce is in love or at least in lust with the gorgeous man who he has taken to watching through the cafe window everyday. He is careful not to be seen watching but he knows who Tay is and what he does, he found a copy of Tay's card and now listens to all the audio he records. He fuels his fantasies, ones that he never imagines will be more than that. After all, according to him the young, fit Tay would not look twice at him with his 20 extra pounds.

Both of them are making assumptions, creating fantasties and when the day finally comes that brings them together it surprises and makes them both incredibly nervous and fumbling. Its very funny in a very cute way. As much as Tay was once a player that was easy, it didn't involve getting to know anyone. He wants to get to know Bryce and doesn't care one bit about those extra pounds, in fact he rather likes them and goes to great lengths to reassure the man of it which I found incredibly comforting and heart-warming. As Bryce learns to relax and realise Tay is for real, this is all for real the two find one another and themselves in the most beautiful ending.

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

Merged review:

Such a beautiful book, filled with the joy of the season it is set in and with so much love, pure, honest love that it is impossible not to fall in love, fall head over heels with both Tay and Bryce.

At first glance they are complete opposites and in fact they may still be by the end of the book but then again they say opposites attract and this story goes to show how true this is.

Tay is an audio actor, he spends his days narrating erotic audiobooks, a role he fell into entirely by accident but that, most of the time he loves. Recently it has become more and more difficult to concentrate on the roles he is playing, his mind is busy. Three months ago and he would have had no problem calling up a quick date, after all he was a player. Now he has eyes for only one man and the player days are behind him. If only he could summon the courage to find out the man's name and speak to him. Oh he sees him daily, in the window of the coffee shop as he walks to and from work sneaking glances...

Bryce is in love or at least in lust with the gorgeous man who he has taken to watching through the cafe window everyday. He is careful not to be seen watching but he knows who Tay is and what he does, he found a copy of Tay's card and now listens to all the audio he records. He fuels his fantasies, ones that he never imagines will be more than that. After all, according to him the young, fit Tay would not look twice at him with his 20 extra pounds.

Both of them are making assumptions, creating fantasties and when the day finally comes that brings them together it surprises and makes them both incredibly nervous and fumbling. Its very funny in a very cute way. As much as Tay was once a player that was easy, it didn't involve getting to know anyone. He wants to get to know Bryce and doesn't care one bit about those extra pounds, in fact he rather likes them and goes to great lengths to reassure the man of it which I found incredibly comforting and heart-warming. As Bryce learns to relax and realise Tay is for real, this is all for real the two find one another and themselves in the most beautiful ending.

[L H · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was so much interest and longing on both sides between Bryce and Tay that I just wanted to walk up to each and say get on with it and approach him. It was so cute the way they surveilled one another trying to get a name and how each wanted a relationship but Bryce did not think that could happen. This was a sweet romance complete with meet cute and the feels for the two as they work toward actually meeting and seeing where things could go.

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

[Sara Sigler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bryce loved his job at the nursing home helping families of the people who lived there also sat at the coffee shop watching Tay go to work at the studio and walk home every day. When there he listens to the audiobooks that Tay does and Tay has seen Bryce sitting there and interested too. The owner had Bryce sit outside to make Tay stop and talk. Good book!.

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

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another good addition to the series, Bryce and Tay have been pining for each other for months but neither had the nerve to approach the other. Bryce is self conscious and insecure in his eyes Tay with his model looks and body is way out of his league but Tay was a player no connections just one and done, all until he walked past a cafe and spotted Bryce inside and he knew that was who he wanted a connection with, they finally get together and what follows is a sweet enjoyable story.

[Cynthia Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bryce has been watching the hunk walk by the coffee shop daily for months but afraid to make a move because of his weight. Tay has noticed the man in the coffee shop for months and he likes everything about him but doesn't know how to ask him out because he doesn't date, he just did hook ups till now. I really enjoyed this book.

[Latecia Jennings · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was cute romance. I don't read too many interracial romances and I was glad I tried this one. Tay and Bryce cute meet was adorable and awkward but oh so entertaining. I enjoyed the build up until the very end. Nice!.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[Sharon L · Rating 3 out of 5]

“My fantasies never pan out quite this… fully.”

This book is by a new to me author Alex Winters. Pumpkin Bryce is book 6 in the Hot Blooded Holidays series. I believe these are all standalone books since this book has no other male characters.

When I read the book blurb and saw it was about a MM romance narrator, I just had to pick it up from Booksprout to read and review. I love to both read and listen to books so this one should be right up my alley.

I never realized that there were so many words for ejaculate, I wish I had bookmarked them all. I think there were at least 5. I even had to look one up because I'd never heard the word spum before.

Since one of the MCs is a narrator the author actually puts in pieces of a book that he is narrating about two high school boys named Eli and Brick which I found interesting and different.

This author definitely has a way with words. Example:
This kiss was… personal. Intimate. Lingering. Like a roller coaster, it built up to a crescendo and then dropped to a whisper, sped up, slowed down, rounded bends and turned curves, and lingered, longingly, until there was no doubt about their mutual intentions.

If you like your books with a little story and lots of heat, this one's for you!!!

My star ratings:
⭐ - don't waste your time
⭐⭐ - it's got potential
⭐⭐⭐ - all around good book
⭐⭐⭐⭐ - great book
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - drop what you're doing/reading and read this book now

[Troubleinfl (Dee) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very sweet story about 2 men who see each other (from a distance) daily but are too insecure to meet. The author contrasts the nerdy guy and the player, resulting in a pair of opposites that seem unlikely. They find that maybe they aren't so different after all.

In case you're wondering, the title of the book really has nothing to do with Halloween. It is based in the Fall, however, complete with pumpkin-spiced lattes, dry falling leaves and sweaters. The title comes from the barista at the coffee shop where Bryce watches for Tay to pass.

The story is rather simplistic, but it makes for a nice read to make you feel warm and fuzzy. There is graphic sex and a sex/love scene that lasts almost half of the book. HEA guaranteed.

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

[Deb Kel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is my favourite book out of this series so far. I thoroughly enjoyed this short but sweet, poignant story. Both Bryce and Tay were attracted to each other but wary to make the first move and I loved following the build up of their developing relationship.

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