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Husband Material
Husband Material is a long-running reality show, where eighteen lucky guys compete for the hand of one lucky lady. Meet contestant number one, Riley. Since being left at the altar, he’s hit the gym to get into the best shape of his life. Now he’s in it to win it. Contestant number two, Asher, doesn’t really want the bachelorette; he needs the prize money for his sister’s cancer treatment. Asher's upbeat personality brings Riley out of the funk he's been in since his breakup. They make a formidable team, with one complication: Asher’s falling for Riley.
Producer Kaitlyn has her hands full when two bachelors are found in the shower soaping up inappropriately, then another live-tweets the entire debacle. If another scandal erupts, the network will cancel the show.
The two bachelors are on a collision course under the watchful eye of a producer torn between wanting them to find true love and trying to keep her show going. In the end, Riley must choose the bachelorette or the bachelor.
Producer Kaitlyn has her hands full when two bachelors are found in the shower soaping up inappropriately, then another live-tweets the entire debacle. If another scandal erupts, the network will cancel the show.
The two bachelors are on a collision course under the watchful eye of a producer torn between wanting them to find true love and trying to keep her show going. In the end, Riley must choose the bachelorette or the bachelor.
350 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 23, 2014
4 people are currently reading
395 people want to read
About the author
Xavier Mayne
14 books189 followersXavier Mayne is the pen name of a writer who has been both a university professor of English and a marketing professional for software companies. He currently manages a team of writers for a large technology company based in the US Pacific Northwest. Versed in academic theories of sexual identity, he is passionate about writing stories in which men experience a love that pushes them beyond the boundaries they thought defined their sexuality. He believes that romance can be hot, funny, and sweet in equal measure.
The name Xavier Mayne is a tribute to the pioneering gay author Edward Prime-Stevenson, who also used it as a pen name. He wrote the first openly gay novel by an American, 1906’s Imre: A Memorandum, which depicts two masculine men falling in love despite social pressures that attempt to keep them apart.
The name Xavier Mayne is a tribute to the pioneering gay author Edward Prime-Stevenson, who also used it as a pen name. He wrote the first openly gay novel by an American, 1906’s Imre: A Memorandum, which depicts two masculine men falling in love despite social pressures that attempt to keep them apart.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
December 29, 2019
**3.5 stars**
I want to give this more stars because I LOVED aspects of this book but I also had some issues that brought my rating down a bit.
What I liked:
- The romance! It was slow burn, delicious, and realistic. I loved the chemistry between Asher and Riley and loved the sexuality discovery parts (you know I always do!). I have a soft spot for a well done sexuality discovery story, and this was a really nice one. A good story for me is when we see the emotions behind the person realizing/coming to terms with their attraction for men. I like seeing the internal debate, the struggle, and how the MC deals with it. I like first time gay experiences that happen sllllooooowwwwllly with much buildup. God, I love the buildup. Very hot.
- The setting. Oh my god, the setting. Have you ever watched The Bachelorette and all of those mostly naked guys playing in the pool together and thought, "I wonder..." Well, wonder no more! This is like your smutty, gay Bachelorette dreams come true!
What I didn't like:
- The giggles. What do I mean by that? Well, these men didn't laugh, they giggled. Every. Time. They. Laughed. I hate when authors write that men giggled. I mean, 12 year old girls giggle. I kept picturing these two buff guys tittering behind their nails when the author used the term "giggle".
- The producer POV. I thought it was weird. I wish the whole book wasn't structured with the producer and her assistant's POV. I think the whole book could have been done just inside the MC's head with no issues.
- The ending. It was a little saccharine and fast moving for my taste.
Overall, this book was adorable. Seriously. It was a light, happy, sexy read and I think many people would enjoy it.
**Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
I want to give this more stars because I LOVED aspects of this book but I also had some issues that brought my rating down a bit.
What I liked:
- The romance! It was slow burn, delicious, and realistic. I loved the chemistry between Asher and Riley and loved the sexuality discovery parts (you know I always do!). I have a soft spot for a well done sexuality discovery story, and this was a really nice one. A good story for me is when we see the emotions behind the person realizing/coming to terms with their attraction for men. I like seeing the internal debate, the struggle, and how the MC deals with it. I like first time gay experiences that happen sllllooooowwwwllly with much buildup. God, I love the buildup. Very hot.
- The setting. Oh my god, the setting. Have you ever watched The Bachelorette and all of those mostly naked guys playing in the pool together and thought, "I wonder..." Well, wonder no more! This is like your smutty, gay Bachelorette dreams come true!
What I didn't like:
- The giggles. What do I mean by that? Well, these men didn't laugh, they giggled. Every. Time. They. Laughed. I hate when authors write that men giggled. I mean, 12 year old girls giggle. I kept picturing these two buff guys tittering behind their nails when the author used the term "giggle".
- The producer POV. I thought it was weird. I wish the whole book wasn't structured with the producer and her assistant's POV. I think the whole book could have been done just inside the MC's head with no issues.
- The ending. It was a little saccharine and fast moving for my taste.
Overall, this book was adorable. Seriously. It was a light, happy, sexy read and I think many people would enjoy it.
**Copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
March 4, 2014
There are a lot of things to like about this book. It's funny and the characters are (mostly) likeable. The way Riley and Asher finally meet was hysterical and I adored the results of the sculpture challenge. It's also slow burn, which I love. The first quarter of the book was great.
Starting about a quarter of the way through I began to have issues. I did like the scenes from the point of view of Kaitlyn, the producer/matchmaker. I thought her and her intern provided a lot of humor as well as a fun viewpoint to contrast Riley's. However, it worked better for me when it was in small doses. I thought the long section about Liam and Gavin completely destroyed the momentum that had been building up in Riley and Asher's romance. It completely took the focus off of them for too long.
Soon after that the book began to drag a bit. I got tired of Riley's endless kiss-freakout-makeup routine with Asher. I also got a bit bored with Asher himself. The man is perfect. He's only in the competition to get money to pay his sister's medical bills. He's sexy. He's an amazing gymnast. He's charming. He's funny. He teaches art to kids. He stands up for people. He rescues the damsel from an allergic reaction. He volunteers at soup kitchens. He befriends children with Down syndrome. He probably helps old ladies cross the street and rescues kittens from trees as well. The man seems to have literally no flaws! Even his cum is delicious. I would have found him a lot more interesting if he had seemed a bit more human.
I also thought the sex scenes dragged a bit (but I'm not the hugest fan of sex scenes, so take that as you will). The scenes themselves were just really long. One of them was about 4% of the book per my Kindle - which works out to over 15 pages. That was just way too long for me. Also too much giggling. Somebody giggled at least 33 times in this book per my Kindle. It was mostly Riley. I cannot imagine a grown man giggling that much!
Despite all of those little things that I didn't love, I was still liking Riley and Asher a lot together and wanted them to get their HEA. Until Riley SEXUALLY ASSAULTED another contestant! Who does that? That's awful. That completely torpedoed my impression of Riley. It was not ok, and it was not funny, and it was not a good way to fix the results in the competition. The guy did not deserve that just because he was shallow. I didn't really care about the HEA at all after that.
So, this was my first book by this author. It was written well, very funny at times, and I did enjoy most of it. Before I read that last 10% I definitely would have checked out more books by this author. Now, I'm a little wary. I can't even decide how to rate this, because if I ignored that last 10% with the sexual assault, it was a definite like. But I just can't get on board with treating sexual assault like it is no big deal!
Starting about a quarter of the way through I began to have issues. I did like the scenes from the point of view of Kaitlyn, the producer/matchmaker. I thought her and her intern provided a lot of humor as well as a fun viewpoint to contrast Riley's. However, it worked better for me when it was in small doses. I thought the long section about Liam and Gavin completely destroyed the momentum that had been building up in Riley and Asher's romance. It completely took the focus off of them for too long.
Soon after that the book began to drag a bit. I got tired of Riley's endless kiss-freakout-makeup routine with Asher. I also got a bit bored with Asher himself. The man is perfect. He's only in the competition to get money to pay his sister's medical bills. He's sexy. He's an amazing gymnast. He's charming. He's funny. He teaches art to kids. He stands up for people. He rescues the damsel from an allergic reaction. He volunteers at soup kitchens. He befriends children with Down syndrome. He probably helps old ladies cross the street and rescues kittens from trees as well. The man seems to have literally no flaws! Even his cum is delicious. I would have found him a lot more interesting if he had seemed a bit more human.
I also thought the sex scenes dragged a bit (but I'm not the hugest fan of sex scenes, so take that as you will). The scenes themselves were just really long. One of them was about 4% of the book per my Kindle - which works out to over 15 pages. That was just way too long for me. Also too much giggling. Somebody giggled at least 33 times in this book per my Kindle. It was mostly Riley. I cannot imagine a grown man giggling that much!
Despite all of those little things that I didn't love, I was still liking Riley and Asher a lot together and wanted them to get their HEA. Until Riley SEXUALLY ASSAULTED another contestant! Who does that? That's awful. That completely torpedoed my impression of Riley. It was not ok, and it was not funny, and it was not a good way to fix the results in the competition. The guy did not deserve that just because he was shallow. I didn't really care about the HEA at all after that.
So, this was my first book by this author. It was written well, very funny at times, and I did enjoy most of it. Before I read that last 10% I definitely would have checked out more books by this author. Now, I'm a little wary. I can't even decide how to rate this, because if I ignored that last 10% with the sexual assault, it was a definite like. But I just can't get on board with treating sexual assault like it is no big deal!
February 8, 2014
This book is disgusting. I can't remember a time when I would have felt this enraged after reading a book, not to mention betrayed, because it actually seemed pretty good until the last thirty pages or so. The main character Riley is portrayed as a calculating man from the beginning but at the finish line we find out that he is actually a callous, manipulative, scheaming, narsissistic rapist. Now, those who still want to read this pile of steaming crap of a book be warned of spoilers.
Okay, so when there are only four people competing for the bachelorette, Riley decides he wants his lover (who was likely going to place fourth) to win the runner-up prize. To achieve this, he gets himself and another bachelor disqualified and he does this by basically raping the guy in his sleep. Engaging in sexual activity with an unconscious person and touching his genitals without consent is an act punishable by law.
Now, fictional characters can do all sorts of morally questionable things but it must be very carefully handled by the author for it to work. In Husband Material it's treated as a non-issue, it's even supposed to be funny. Well excuse me for not laughing at what could be a serious emotional trauma for the victim! It's sort of funny, however, that earlier in the book, the producer of the show criticizes another gay couple found getting it on in the showers of "setting back the cause like twenty years!" Okay, but it's okay for a gay man to molest a sleeping straight man? Yeah, that doesn't reflect badly on the cause at all. The gravity of Riley's actions is not addressed at all. When it comes to the poor victim's reputation, it is admitted that "[e]thically, Riley was on thin ice, and he knew it." No, you are already in the icy water, buddy, and you deserve to drown in it! Even that admission is immediately brushed off with some bullshit about love making people do the unimaginable.
Of course Riley touching another man couldn't possibly be considered wrong for cheating on his partner either because he doesn't enjoy it. The narrator even remarks upon how unpleasant it feels for Riley. How about a little consideration for how the victim feels, huh? And how is it a good idea to make it like you've cheated on your boyfriend who already has some serious trust issues? I wish this issue was addressed too but no, even Riley's lover rewards Riley with sex for what he did. So Riley's Great Romantic Gesture involves sexually abusing someone? Great job!
The whole scheme wasn't even necessary. Riley was one of the top two contestants. He could just have given his lover the money after he won. Oh but that wouldn't have been self-sacrificing enough and we wouldn't have had the chance to see Riley wallow in self pity. He feels sorry for himself and the other bachelor whose identity and sense of self Riley probably just destroyed is promptly forgotten.
It is all the more disgusting for Riley to treat another person like that when a good deal of the book revolves around Riley's struggles to wrap his head around his sexual relationship with another man. It isn't like Riley didn't know how an experience like that can affect a person's psyche. This proves that Riley is extremely self-centered and cold-hearted towards the people who are of no consequence to him. Riley is also proven to be an excellent liar and I can't help but think that the character would be better suited for a villain in a psychological thriller because he is an awful hero for romance.
I wish I could just jump in a time machine and stop myself from ever wasting my time and money on this book. Still, I'm going to be generous and give it two stars for the interesting premise and the great couple and character growth in the first part. The ending ruined the whole book for me though, so after being betrayed like that once, I'm never buying anything by this author ever again.
Okay, so when there are only four people competing for the bachelorette, Riley decides he wants his lover (who was likely going to place fourth) to win the runner-up prize. To achieve this, he gets himself and another bachelor disqualified and he does this by basically raping the guy in his sleep. Engaging in sexual activity with an unconscious person and touching his genitals without consent is an act punishable by law.
Now, fictional characters can do all sorts of morally questionable things but it must be very carefully handled by the author for it to work. In Husband Material it's treated as a non-issue, it's even supposed to be funny. Well excuse me for not laughing at what could be a serious emotional trauma for the victim! It's sort of funny, however, that earlier in the book, the producer of the show criticizes another gay couple found getting it on in the showers of "setting back the cause like twenty years!" Okay, but it's okay for a gay man to molest a sleeping straight man? Yeah, that doesn't reflect badly on the cause at all. The gravity of Riley's actions is not addressed at all. When it comes to the poor victim's reputation, it is admitted that "[e]thically, Riley was on thin ice, and he knew it." No, you are already in the icy water, buddy, and you deserve to drown in it! Even that admission is immediately brushed off with some bullshit about love making people do the unimaginable.
Of course Riley touching another man couldn't possibly be considered wrong for cheating on his partner either because he doesn't enjoy it. The narrator even remarks upon how unpleasant it feels for Riley. How about a little consideration for how the victim feels, huh? And how is it a good idea to make it like you've cheated on your boyfriend who already has some serious trust issues? I wish this issue was addressed too but no, even Riley's lover rewards Riley with sex for what he did. So Riley's Great Romantic Gesture involves sexually abusing someone? Great job!
The whole scheme wasn't even necessary. Riley was one of the top two contestants. He could just have given his lover the money after he won. Oh but that wouldn't have been self-sacrificing enough and we wouldn't have had the chance to see Riley wallow in self pity. He feels sorry for himself and the other bachelor whose identity and sense of self Riley probably just destroyed is promptly forgotten.
It is all the more disgusting for Riley to treat another person like that when a good deal of the book revolves around Riley's struggles to wrap his head around his sexual relationship with another man. It isn't like Riley didn't know how an experience like that can affect a person's psyche. This proves that Riley is extremely self-centered and cold-hearted towards the people who are of no consequence to him. Riley is also proven to be an excellent liar and I can't help but think that the character would be better suited for a villain in a psychological thriller because he is an awful hero for romance.
I wish I could just jump in a time machine and stop myself from ever wasting my time and money on this book. Still, I'm going to be generous and give it two stars for the interesting premise and the great couple and character growth in the first part. The ending ruined the whole book for me though, so after being betrayed like that once, I'm never buying anything by this author ever again.
January 24, 2014
I’m not ashamed to admit that when I first read the blurb for Husband Material I squealed like a tween at a One Direction concert. I dropped my phone and raced for the computer, ready to go all Gladiator on anyone who thought to get between me and a review copy of that book. Then, it arrived on my iPad and I sat there looking at it thinking, I’m not going to like this now and it’s my own fault. I was so hyped up to read it, there was no way it could live up to my expectations.
Yes. It. Could.
But good lord, how do I even begin to review this? How do I explain, short of writing a novel myself, everything that I loved about this book?
My review can be found on The Blog Of Sid Love
http://sidlove.com/2014/01/23/pre-rel...
Yes. It. Could.
But good lord, how do I even begin to review this? How do I explain, short of writing a novel myself, everything that I loved about this book?
My review can be found on The Blog Of Sid Love
http://sidlove.com/2014/01/23/pre-rel...
July 2, 2018
DNF al 65%
Una de las parejas más aburridas del mundo mundial.
Una de las parejas más aburridas del mundo mundial.
March 7, 2014
Really liked this one, 4 stars from me.
I was 'rooting' for both of them. I wanted Asher to finally get his 'Prince Charming' and his deserved HEA and do really well on the reality TV show (which in real life I hate with a passion) so that he could get a fat wodge of cash to help his sister with her treatment. Riley of course needed to get some of his self-respect back after being dumped at the altar by his ex fiancee, and to watch him slowly fall in love and then to come to that realisation himself only to remember that he felt that way about another man and not a woman...well, it's not surprising he had a major freak out, but things turned out just the way I wanted them to...with a little help from a certain TV producer and her assistant.
Yes, the story did get a little bogged down in parts, but it was very romantic and made even more so with the references to Telemachus and Peisistratus from Greek mythology, and then to was the icing on the cake for me. Loved Frat House Troopers and loved this, many thanks Xavier.
I was 'rooting' for both of them. I wanted Asher to finally get his 'Prince Charming' and his deserved HEA and do really well on the reality TV show (which in real life I hate with a passion) so that he could get a fat wodge of cash to help his sister with her treatment. Riley of course needed to get some of his self-respect back after being dumped at the altar by his ex fiancee, and to watch him slowly fall in love and then to come to that realisation himself only to remember that he felt that way about another man and not a woman...well, it's not surprising he had a major freak out, but things turned out just the way I wanted them to...with a little help from a certain TV producer and her assistant.
Yes, the story did get a little bogged down in parts, but it was very romantic and made even more so with the references to Telemachus and Peisistratus from Greek mythology, and then to was the icing on the cake for me. Loved Frat House Troopers and loved this, many thanks Xavier.
March 7, 2016
4.5 stars
Two novels in and Xavier Mayne has become an auto buy author for me. As in Frat House Troopers, this book also explores the "gay for you" theme.
Riley and Asher meet as competitors on a Bachelorette-type reality show and quickly form an alliance. Riley is out to show the woman who left him at the altar what she is missing and Asher just wants to come in second to earn money to pay his sister's medical bills. The two men are well suited and become easy allies. Riley finds he feels like a better person just being around Asher and after Asher confesses that he is gay and is attracted to him, Riley finds himself reevaluating just what his feelings might mean.
While all this is going on, the men are put through one challenge after another, trying to avoid elimination from the show as scandals erupt and the competition gets dirty. The situation the men are in and the attempts of the other contestants to sabotage each other add to the comic relief of the story. Unbeknownst to Riley and Asher however, there are other forces at work that are trying to bring them together.
Xavier Mayne's writing is humorous and intelligent and also manages to tug at the heart strings. There are scenes where Asher just broke my heart with his vulnerability and yearning for a friend and lover, while Riley struggles with his new feelings. There is a slow build to the romance (Riley is not one of those characters that immediately embraces and jumps into this newly discovered side of his sexuality) although the fact that the two are confined in the bubble of the show helps to move things along a bit. The love doesn't come quickly or easily, but happily the two men do talk things through as their relationship deepens and they form a bond of loyalty and friendship on their way to their HEA.
Two novels in and Xavier Mayne has become an auto buy author for me. As in Frat House Troopers, this book also explores the "gay for you" theme.
Riley and Asher meet as competitors on a Bachelorette-type reality show and quickly form an alliance. Riley is out to show the woman who left him at the altar what she is missing and Asher just wants to come in second to earn money to pay his sister's medical bills. The two men are well suited and become easy allies. Riley finds he feels like a better person just being around Asher and after Asher confesses that he is gay and is attracted to him, Riley finds himself reevaluating just what his feelings might mean.
While all this is going on, the men are put through one challenge after another, trying to avoid elimination from the show as scandals erupt and the competition gets dirty. The situation the men are in and the attempts of the other contestants to sabotage each other add to the comic relief of the story. Unbeknownst to Riley and Asher however, there are other forces at work that are trying to bring them together.
Xavier Mayne's writing is humorous and intelligent and also manages to tug at the heart strings. There are scenes where Asher just broke my heart with his vulnerability and yearning for a friend and lover, while Riley struggles with his new feelings. There is a slow build to the romance (Riley is not one of those characters that immediately embraces and jumps into this newly discovered side of his sexuality) although the fact that the two are confined in the bubble of the show helps to move things along a bit. The love doesn't come quickly or easily, but happily the two men do talk things through as their relationship deepens and they form a bond of loyalty and friendship on their way to their HEA.
February 9, 2014
[01/29/2014] Color me..strange but I will most probably and undoubtedly be the one jackass of a reader that likes his debut Frat House Troopers better than this. Still working on the why's. lol.
02/09/14 [two weeks later-post digestion]
Three words. Less is more.
SO..I am now convinced this is some kind of post-debut-writing-affliction..as the evidence is actually quite overwhelming that this seems to happen on a frequent basis with some writers. After a promising clever debut oozing with potential enthusiasm and then post-debut release..we're left wondering Who.What.When.Where.Why..wtf happened to this writer?
The good news is this doesn't seem to be a permanent disease process with a terminal end and the prognosis for a full-and-excellent recovery of this bizarre affliction is actually quite promisingly good-if-not-excellent.
Because Xavier Mayne has a naturally graceful wit and wonderfully-clever imagination desperately needed in the fictional community.
Why this happens probably has a whole hodge-podge-bag of reasons. I can only speculate perhaps it having to do with a writer's own unrealistic perfection expectations..and they begin to maybe second-guess themselves and in an effort to cover all bases they throw in the whole kitchen sink for good measure with hopes that more will be best..when in actuality less is always so much more.
And..to what do I base my ridiculous theory on? idfk?
Maybe..one only has to revisit their simple and humble beginning..of their unaffected-unsullied-fresh-eyed debuts to observe that the less is more approach was in fact the very formula they naturally unknowingly utilized producing a stronger result.
I kind of like to analyze debuts as the core essence..and divine building block of a writer. A pivotal stepping stone and observatory glimpse into what makes them proverbially tick..driving their force to the very surface of success or failure.
But really wtf do I know? I just get bored and sometimes like to ramble on about my inane observations as if they actually mean something. Don't be fooled. They only mean something to me..and I'm just one person.
02/09/14 [two weeks later-post digestion]
Three words. Less is more.
SO..I am now convinced this is some kind of post-debut-writing-affliction..as the evidence is actually quite overwhelming that this seems to happen on a frequent basis with some writers. After a promising clever debut oozing with potential enthusiasm and then post-debut release..we're left wondering Who.What.When.Where.Why..wtf happened to this writer?
The good news is this doesn't seem to be a permanent disease process with a terminal end and the prognosis for a full-and-excellent recovery of this bizarre affliction is actually quite promisingly good-if-not-excellent.
Because Xavier Mayne has a naturally graceful wit and wonderfully-clever imagination desperately needed in the fictional community.
Why this happens probably has a whole hodge-podge-bag of reasons. I can only speculate perhaps it having to do with a writer's own unrealistic perfection expectations..and they begin to maybe second-guess themselves and in an effort to cover all bases they throw in the whole kitchen sink for good measure with hopes that more will be best..when in actuality less is always so much more.
And..to what do I base my ridiculous theory on? idfk?
Maybe..one only has to revisit their simple and humble beginning..of their unaffected-unsullied-fresh-eyed debuts to observe that the less is more approach was in fact the very formula they naturally unknowingly utilized producing a stronger result.
I kind of like to analyze debuts as the core essence..and divine building block of a writer. A pivotal stepping stone and observatory glimpse into what makes them proverbially tick..driving their force to the very surface of success or failure.
But really wtf do I know? I just get bored and sometimes like to ramble on about my inane observations as if they actually mean something. Don't be fooled. They only mean something to me..and I'm just one person.
May 19, 2015
I enjoyed this a lot- interesting set up, characters that I really liked- and then....
Riley was dumped at the altar, and this "Bachelorette" ripoff is his chance to get his mojo back. (Yeah, his motivation is thin.) Asher is gay (but he somehow managed to sneak that by the producers, even through multiple deep background checks), and he's on the show because he wants the cash prize for coming in second place to pay for his sister's cancer treatment. (The beloved sister he tells Riley about at the beginning and then never mentions again.)
But all of that isn't really the point. Asher is hopelessly attracted to the straight Riley. Riley is straight, or at least he thinks he is, but he's got this incredibly connection with Asher that he just can't let go. Kaitlyn the producer is torn between preventing another gay scandal on the show at all costs, and playing Mad Scientist to make the smitten Asher and the confused Riley fall in love. The constant observation, the pressures of the competition, the contractual obligations of the show, and their growing feelings all mix together in a way that's very entertaining.
But then. Riley finds out that Asher is about to be cut from the show, and he does something really reprehensible to knock himself and another guy out of the running and ensure that Asher makes it to the final two. I refuse to believe that there wasn't something else that Riley could have done that wasn't completely awful.
So that's it. A fun, entertaining book that was pretty well wrecked for me by a "hero" who went way out of bounds.
Riley was dumped at the altar, and this "Bachelorette" ripoff is his chance to get his mojo back. (Yeah, his motivation is thin.) Asher is gay (but he somehow managed to sneak that by the producers, even through multiple deep background checks), and he's on the show because he wants the cash prize for coming in second place to pay for his sister's cancer treatment. (The beloved sister he tells Riley about at the beginning and then never mentions again.)
But all of that isn't really the point. Asher is hopelessly attracted to the straight Riley. Riley is straight, or at least he thinks he is, but he's got this incredibly connection with Asher that he just can't let go. Kaitlyn the producer is torn between preventing another gay scandal on the show at all costs, and playing Mad Scientist to make the smitten Asher and the confused Riley fall in love. The constant observation, the pressures of the competition, the contractual obligations of the show, and their growing feelings all mix together in a way that's very entertaining.
But then. Riley finds out that Asher is about to be cut from the show, and he does something really reprehensible to knock himself and another guy out of the running and ensure that Asher makes it to the final two. I refuse to believe that there wasn't something else that Riley could have done that wasn't completely awful.
So that's it. A fun, entertaining book that was pretty well wrecked for me by a "hero" who went way out of bounds.
June 27, 2015
I started to realize that you aren’t just another guy. You’re this amazing person I would follow anywhere, and do anything with, because of who you are and how you make me feel. You are what I want. Who I want...
I decided to read this book after I read news about "BROKEBACK BACHELOR" from The popular ABC reality show, The Bachelorette, that said, "Two Straight “Bachelorette” Contestants Fall In Love, Confess To Hooking Up In The Shower."
Link here
Then a friend of mine told me about this book due to the "similarities".
Curious ?
Hell yeah !
So I read it just to fulfill my curiosity about which one come first.
I didn't expect that it will ended with me falling in love with the two MC in this book.
Riley & Asher are totally a sweetheart.
I love how Riley struggling with his feeling, the strange attraction to another guy, the curiosity, the denial until finally he found what he truly want in his life.
I love Asher for his patient, waiting for Riley to finally realized about what he want.
I love the writing, the slow burn romance in this story, it makes all things happen just in perfect time.
Above of all, "The body painting incident with Wilbur" still feels hilarious for me....
Like what I said, after I read this book, I can make sure that this story come first than what had happened in the reality show, and it's obviously that what had happened on the reality show was being staged for entertainment purposes. Maybe the producers being "inspired" with this story...
Who knows...
But what had happened with Clint Arlis & JJ Lane from reality show The Bachelorette, who being caught at the shower identically the same with what happen with Liam & Gavin in this story.
So, my thoughts ?
This is one of the sweetest GFY story I ever read.
February 16, 2019
Okay, I couldn't rate this higher because of what Riley did to the other bachelor. He may have done it for Asher, but I still think it was a lousy thing to do.
September 1, 2016
As soon as I read the blurb for this book I started to laugh. What a brilliant idea, to take an existing show (The Bachelorette, I believe) and do a "what if one or more of the bachelors are gay" version of it? The potential has got to be there. And I think the author did a particularly good job designing the reasons and motivations for each of the gay contestants to be on the show anyway. And, surprise, surprise, there are more than two… I loved the whole story and everything about it: from the setting and all the characters, to the "games" they had to play and how the losers got voted off, to the slow buildup of the romance, to all the contemporary references (like tweeting secrets all over the Internet). And don’t forget the emotional torment and angst the two MCs went through – really, really well done!
Riley broke my heart. He's trying to be all macho, but deep down he is depressed, insecure, and has a hell of a lot to prove to himself. Or so he thinks. His ex-fiancée has done a total number on him when she left him, and he is struggling to come out of that. What better way to prove that he's still got it than to win the show? After all, only the malest of the male bachelors can possibly win. I loved his strategizing as he figured out what to do at each stage. The poor man has no idea where it will lead him, and his objective of winning the bachelorette's heart at almost any cost almost blinds him to the really important developments between him and Asher. To the fact that he may actually be gay.
Asher knows he is gay from the start, but does a brilliant job at hiding it. He has the best motivation possible to win the show: he needs the money to pay for his sister's cancer treatment. I loved that he becomes Riley's closest ally when he decides working together with the seemingly unbeatable man may be his best strategy. Little does he know what kind of heartache he is in for as they both struggle to define the feelings between them. Actually, he is pretty sure what he feels, but having to stay in the game and adhere to the rules means he has to continue hiding it.
Above and beyond those two, some of the other secondary characters were really funny, and some added some depth as well. In particular, the producer, Kaitlyn, and her assistant. Now, at first I was a little irritated to find their point of view included as well. I mean, this is supposed to be a romance, right? But actually, as I got into the story, I could see how their way of looking at everything really added a lot of insight, mystery, and extra tension. Very cleverly done!
If you like reality shows where contestants are voted off every week, and even if you don’t, this book will hold your attention with all the strategies behind every move anyone makes. If you enjoy reading about tortured characters who struggle to understand themselves and what is important in life, and if you're looking for a read that is as amusing as it is hot and intense, then you will probably like this novel.
Riley broke my heart. He's trying to be all macho, but deep down he is depressed, insecure, and has a hell of a lot to prove to himself. Or so he thinks. His ex-fiancée has done a total number on him when she left him, and he is struggling to come out of that. What better way to prove that he's still got it than to win the show? After all, only the malest of the male bachelors can possibly win. I loved his strategizing as he figured out what to do at each stage. The poor man has no idea where it will lead him, and his objective of winning the bachelorette's heart at almost any cost almost blinds him to the really important developments between him and Asher. To the fact that he may actually be gay.
Asher knows he is gay from the start, but does a brilliant job at hiding it. He has the best motivation possible to win the show: he needs the money to pay for his sister's cancer treatment. I loved that he becomes Riley's closest ally when he decides working together with the seemingly unbeatable man may be his best strategy. Little does he know what kind of heartache he is in for as they both struggle to define the feelings between them. Actually, he is pretty sure what he feels, but having to stay in the game and adhere to the rules means he has to continue hiding it.
Above and beyond those two, some of the other secondary characters were really funny, and some added some depth as well. In particular, the producer, Kaitlyn, and her assistant. Now, at first I was a little irritated to find their point of view included as well. I mean, this is supposed to be a romance, right? But actually, as I got into the story, I could see how their way of looking at everything really added a lot of insight, mystery, and extra tension. Very cleverly done!
If you like reality shows where contestants are voted off every week, and even if you don’t, this book will hold your attention with all the strategies behind every move anyone makes. If you enjoy reading about tortured characters who struggle to understand themselves and what is important in life, and if you're looking for a read that is as amusing as it is hot and intense, then you will probably like this novel.
August 9, 2014
Okay, so this book was just not for me I think. When you start reading a book and right off the bat you really don't like a MC, it's hard for me to become engrossed in a book, or really care about it. This is the problem I had with this book, I didn't like Riley from the beginning he came off as a douchcanoe. However, I did like Kaitlyn, the producer/matchmaker. I thought her and her intern provided a lot of humor as well as a fun viewpoint to contrast Riley's. The section regarding Gavin and Liam completely took away from the flow of the book, and really wasn't needed or necessary IMOP. Asher was a sweetheart, but again he was way overdone, it's like the author made Riley an asshole, and Asher a complete saint, a little middle ground would have been nice.
So my huge issue with this whole book is when Riley sexually assaults a contestant in the name of helping Asher win, at this point it was a complete no for me!
So my huge issue with this whole book is when Riley sexually assaults a contestant in the name of helping Asher win, at this point it was a complete no for me!
January 27, 2014
3 STARS
Review to come
Review to come
February 4, 2014
This sounds like guilty pleasure crack. Someone read this with me, pleassssssssse.
July 20, 2019
One of the reasons I read this book is because the premise of this book was startlingly similar to Cowboy Seeks Husband which was a book I really enjoyed. Though similar, these two books handle their romances very differently. Surprisingly, I liked Xavier Mayne's approach to the romance our two main characters enjoyed. He goes about it slowly but surely, giving the characters and their experiences a lot of depth.
Asher and Riley are competitors in a Bachelorettesque show. They start off as unwitting allies who become close companions. These two share a lot of moments that really brought out the potential they had of becoming something more. It was also very obvious that these two genuinely liked each other's company. In a way, they both start falling for each other. Asher being gay comes to identify his feelings for Riley earlier on while Riley has to battle his misconceptions about his own sexuality to realise what it is he feels for Asher.
This was the part that was handled very well. The part where Riley comes to terms with this sexuality and his feelings for Asher. It is a thing which can go horribly wrong but if handled well can really showcase some amazing calibre on the character's part. I feel in Riley's case the author really does it justice by taking it slowly, a step at a time. I liked how the show and the circumstances it creates helps to provide the impetus for Riley to work through his feelings and come to the right conclusions. in all, while Riley doesn't start off as the most fleshed-out character, I liked the journey of self-discovery and love his character takes during the course of this book.
I really liked Asher, he was a genuinely nice and sweet guy. I liked that he is ready to put himself out there despite having been hurt in the past. I loved how open and loving he was with Riley. Asher started off as a way more substantial character than Riley and it was easy to gravitate towards his personality which made the fact that Riley was falling in love with him doubly enjoyable.
This book is told from two perspectives, Riley's and Kaitlyn's. Kaitlyn is the producer of the show on which Riley and Asher are competing for the hand of a bachelorette. I liked the author's idea of putting Kaitlyn's POV into the story because it provided a more well-rounded experience on what was happening on the show and how certain decisions could influence outcomes. I definitely enjoyed the initial drama Kaitlyn and Omar have to put down which added a lot of hilarity to the show. It helped that Kaitlyn's perspective of the show was free form the blinders that Riley's perspective of the show suffered from.
Personally, there are two instances in this book which are morally ambiguous if not outright wrong. I could almost ignore the first instance but the second one influenced my reading experience greatly.
In the first instance, Kaitlyn realising the attraction that was brewing between Riley and Asher decides to force them into close quarters to jog things in the direction she thinks they are headed. This is completely unrelated to the show and is just Kaitlyn playing matchmaker or playing God depends on how big an invasion of privacy you see this as which it definitely is, as Riley and Asher unknown to them are being completely monitored. The importance of this moment in Riley and Asher's story can't be downplayed, it was a very significant point in their love story which makes the infarction bigger or lesser depending on your perspective. In view of the show which already allows for very little privacy and on a regular basis, forces individuals into circumstances they might not want to find themselves in, this kind of infarction can be easily ignored and despite the fact it pinged my radar, I carried on.
The second infarction is a whole lot more wrong with Riley attempting to get himself and another bachelor . The way he goes about it is so so wrong, it took away a lot of agency on the part of the other bachelor who no matter how unlikely to win was still deeply wronged and there is no way you can downplay the infarction. The fact that it was planned makes it worse and the fact that Riley had nothing but good intentions doesn't make it any easier to swallow. The way I see it, it was an act of sexual assault. This event happens at 93% of the book but still managed to colour my entire reading experience. I really don't think Riley's actions can be forgiven much less forgotten.
On the whole, the book lost a lot of its enjoyment after this point and I really hoped the author had tried to figure out a better way to handle the scenario, there were definitely better ways to do it. I had a fun time reading this book and I would have most probably given it 4 stars had it ended in a better way.
Asher and Riley are competitors in a Bachelorettesque show. They start off as unwitting allies who become close companions. These two share a lot of moments that really brought out the potential they had of becoming something more. It was also very obvious that these two genuinely liked each other's company. In a way, they both start falling for each other. Asher being gay comes to identify his feelings for Riley earlier on while Riley has to battle his misconceptions about his own sexuality to realise what it is he feels for Asher.
This was the part that was handled very well. The part where Riley comes to terms with this sexuality and his feelings for Asher. It is a thing which can go horribly wrong but if handled well can really showcase some amazing calibre on the character's part. I feel in Riley's case the author really does it justice by taking it slowly, a step at a time. I liked how the show and the circumstances it creates helps to provide the impetus for Riley to work through his feelings and come to the right conclusions. in all, while Riley doesn't start off as the most fleshed-out character, I liked the journey of self-discovery and love his character takes during the course of this book.
I really liked Asher, he was a genuinely nice and sweet guy. I liked that he is ready to put himself out there despite having been hurt in the past. I loved how open and loving he was with Riley. Asher started off as a way more substantial character than Riley and it was easy to gravitate towards his personality which made the fact that Riley was falling in love with him doubly enjoyable.
This book is told from two perspectives, Riley's and Kaitlyn's. Kaitlyn is the producer of the show on which Riley and Asher are competing for the hand of a bachelorette. I liked the author's idea of putting Kaitlyn's POV into the story because it provided a more well-rounded experience on what was happening on the show and how certain decisions could influence outcomes. I definitely enjoyed the initial drama Kaitlyn and Omar have to put down which added a lot of hilarity to the show. It helped that Kaitlyn's perspective of the show was free form the blinders that Riley's perspective of the show suffered from.
Personally, there are two instances in this book which are morally ambiguous if not outright wrong. I could almost ignore the first instance but the second one influenced my reading experience greatly.
In the first instance, Kaitlyn realising the attraction that was brewing between Riley and Asher decides to force them into close quarters to jog things in the direction she thinks they are headed. This is completely unrelated to the show and is just Kaitlyn playing matchmaker or playing God depends on how big an invasion of privacy you see this as which it definitely is, as Riley and Asher unknown to them are being completely monitored. The importance of this moment in Riley and Asher's story can't be downplayed, it was a very significant point in their love story which makes the infarction bigger or lesser depending on your perspective. In view of the show which already allows for very little privacy and on a regular basis, forces individuals into circumstances they might not want to find themselves in, this kind of infarction can be easily ignored and despite the fact it pinged my radar, I carried on.
The second infarction is a whole lot more wrong with Riley attempting to get himself and another bachelor . The way he goes about it is so so wrong, it took away a lot of agency on the part of the other bachelor who no matter how unlikely to win was still deeply wronged and there is no way you can downplay the infarction. The fact that it was planned makes it worse and the fact that Riley had nothing but good intentions doesn't make it any easier to swallow. The way I see it, it was an act of sexual assault. This event happens at 93% of the book but still managed to colour my entire reading experience. I really don't think Riley's actions can be forgiven much less forgotten.
On the whole, the book lost a lot of its enjoyment after this point and I really hoped the author had tried to figure out a better way to handle the scenario, there were definitely better ways to do it. I had a fun time reading this book and I would have most probably given it 4 stars had it ended in a better way.
September 11, 2021
I loved this sweet, sappy story. As a fan of Survivor, I enjoyed the expose of reality TV. Kaitlyn was a hoot as was her trusty sidekick Omar. Asher was damn close to perfect with Riley far behind him.
May 1, 2017
[I don't think that cover fits the book at all and actually detracted from my reading it. It looks like a wedding in an English countryside. I try not to let covers affect me but subconsciously they do.]
The reality show setting was done really well and it was very believable. I liked the behind the stuff. In fact, for me, the backstage scenes with the producer kind of moved this from being a good book to being a great book as far as enjoyability went. I think the show's premise was clever, and I could see it working on TV in real life. The games the author came up with were excellent, and I could definitely see them on a reality show. There were parts where "candid" moments were re-filmed because they didn't go the way the producers wanted them to. The book didn't disparage nor elevate reality shows, either. They were just a given.
Another line that made me laugh:
There were a number of things that didn't work for me, though. There were contrived moments for plot devices (like having very dangerous and unnecessary activities which insurance wouldn't allow, or letting contestants wander around in the forest by themselves without a camera or supervision), ridiculous assumptions , way too much detail in parts, conveniences like , and gymnasts aren't ever tall.
Because of these things, I can only give the book 4.5 stars. But I'm rounding up because it was that good.
His baseball coach in high school used to bellow that if he didn't want to win badly enough, if he couldn't see himself holding the trophy, he never would. But then again he didn't need to visualize being a loser to feel like on, and he'd done that long enoughThis book made me laugh, cry, and everything between. I loved it and couldn't put it down, despite the fact that I hate reality shows and don't watch them. I read it straight through even though it's quite long. It wasn't perfect, but it didn't matter because I enjoyed it so much. The characters were interesting and likeable and each was a distinct individual. It was a great premise. The way each character was perceived by the woman the show centered around was realistic. I also loved that she was a nice person and wasn't vilified.
The reality show setting was done really well and it was very believable. I liked the behind the stuff. In fact, for me, the backstage scenes with the producer kind of moved this from being a good book to being a great book as far as enjoyability went. I think the show's premise was clever, and I could see it working on TV in real life. The games the author came up with were excellent, and I could definitely see them on a reality show. There were parts where "candid" moments were re-filmed because they didn't go the way the producers wanted them to. The book didn't disparage nor elevate reality shows, either. They were just a given.
Another line that made me laugh:
He was thankful that several months of yoga classes allowed him to be Asher's sexual origami.It's odd that this book is written by a gay man. I believe it to be true because there are little details I haven't seen before that only a man whose been anally penetrated would know, like that there's kind of a feeling like you're peeing when your prostrate is rubbed. I really hate the only-for-you kind of GFY because it's so unrealistic to me, and having those plots is I think detrimental to society's perception of gay people. Being gay isn't a choice (it would be fine if it were, but some people need to know it's not a choice). There were other things that usually are criticized as only being in books written by women like frequent use of endearments, cheesy over the top love avowing, and men giggling. Yes, a gay man wrote a book where macho men giggle.
There were a number of things that didn't work for me, though. There were contrived moments for plot devices (like having very dangerous and unnecessary activities which insurance wouldn't allow, or letting contestants wander around in the forest by themselves without a camera or supervision), ridiculous assumptions , way too much detail in parts, conveniences like , and gymnasts aren't ever tall.
Because of these things, I can only give the book 4.5 stars. But I'm rounding up because it was that good.
June 4, 2014
A Tour de Force on All Levels From a Brilliant New Author
With his Brandt & Donnelly series, and now Husband Material, Xavier Mayne has quickly established himself as a premier, plot master, and extremely clever emotions manipulator (of characters and readers alike) by specializing in a risky genre: Throwing together two men, one completely straight, the other gay or maybe tending to think about it, and letting the chips fall where they may. In Husband Material, he carries this theme straight off the charts of angst, cynicism, romance, doubt, and does it with a combination of tongue-in-cheek, slapstick and good old fashioned romance and sex that takes your breath away and leaves you shaking in the end (spoiler: it's a good shake).
Riley and Asher have tried our for the reality TV show Bachelorette from opposite sides of the country along with 16 other hot young men who will spend weeks trying to convince the lovely Daphne that she should marry one of them. Riley was left at the altar, literally, by his fiancee after four years of engagement and has buffed his body, and he thinks his ego as well, for the effort. Asher is a grade school art teacher who was a major gymnast in college and is still at the top of his game when it comes to athletic prowess, but has a hidden agenda for wanting to compete and win, These two are thrown to the wolves with the other guys and through happenstance and manipulation, manage to become friendly and form a team between them to guarantee one will win and the other will get the quarter-million dollar runner-up prize.
It's a hoot of a premise, but probably pretty close to reality, but what we are treated to is character development and plot lines involving the bachelor challenges that are well thought out, brilliantly written and downright hilarious in some cases. In others, they are simply scorching. Along the way he also develops one of the most manipulative, insightful, hopelessly romantic supporting characters you will ever meet--the show's assistant producer, Kaitlyn, who sees all and says nothing, and sometimes says everything while seeing very little--which her cleverly developed assistant, Omar, might see better.
Part Survivor, part Brokeback Mountain, part Ocean's 11, part Fire From Heaven, Husband Material is one of the books on my shelf that deserves every star I can give it--I only wish I could give it more, because it and its characters, stole my heart. Thank you, Mr. Mayne, for this gift.
With his Brandt & Donnelly series, and now Husband Material, Xavier Mayne has quickly established himself as a premier, plot master, and extremely clever emotions manipulator (of characters and readers alike) by specializing in a risky genre: Throwing together two men, one completely straight, the other gay or maybe tending to think about it, and letting the chips fall where they may. In Husband Material, he carries this theme straight off the charts of angst, cynicism, romance, doubt, and does it with a combination of tongue-in-cheek, slapstick and good old fashioned romance and sex that takes your breath away and leaves you shaking in the end (spoiler: it's a good shake).
Riley and Asher have tried our for the reality TV show Bachelorette from opposite sides of the country along with 16 other hot young men who will spend weeks trying to convince the lovely Daphne that she should marry one of them. Riley was left at the altar, literally, by his fiancee after four years of engagement and has buffed his body, and he thinks his ego as well, for the effort. Asher is a grade school art teacher who was a major gymnast in college and is still at the top of his game when it comes to athletic prowess, but has a hidden agenda for wanting to compete and win, These two are thrown to the wolves with the other guys and through happenstance and manipulation, manage to become friendly and form a team between them to guarantee one will win and the other will get the quarter-million dollar runner-up prize.
It's a hoot of a premise, but probably pretty close to reality, but what we are treated to is character development and plot lines involving the bachelor challenges that are well thought out, brilliantly written and downright hilarious in some cases. In others, they are simply scorching. Along the way he also develops one of the most manipulative, insightful, hopelessly romantic supporting characters you will ever meet--the show's assistant producer, Kaitlyn, who sees all and says nothing, and sometimes says everything while seeing very little--which her cleverly developed assistant, Omar, might see better.
Part Survivor, part Brokeback Mountain, part Ocean's 11, part Fire From Heaven, Husband Material is one of the books on my shelf that deserves every star I can give it--I only wish I could give it more, because it and its characters, stole my heart. Thank you, Mr. Mayne, for this gift.
December 3, 2018
2.5 stars.
Ugh. I have such conflicted feelings about this book.
On one hand, I loved the story, and the premise; set in the world of shows like the Bachelorette, where, of course, two bachelors fall in love instead. On the other, it was very silly.
One one hand, there were times when I really liked Riley and Asher and thought they were well-drawn. On the other, a few pages later, they were acting ridiculous, saying things no human would ever say.
On one hand, I liked Riley falling for Asher. On another, it brought up the whole problematic Gay-For-You debate that goes in MM romance. Was Riley GFY for Asher? He certainly didn't show any other interest in other men, and any that he does is related back to Asher.
It's a long book too. It zips along but it is long and by the time they have sex, it almost feels out of place.
Back to my framework:
On the one hand, I really like Mayne's writing at times, his use of myth as a backdrop, the character of Kaitlyn. On the other, I felt that this book needed a very good edit (actually, there were times I genuinely questioned whether or not there was an editor here).
On the one hand, Riley has never been with a guy before and he gets with Asher and he's fine, but on the other hand, towards the end of the book, Riley sexually assaults (comes on him, gets him hard in his sleep and makes it look like they were going at it!) a character to get him and himself kicked off the show - that really struck me as awful, but Asher, the supposed conscience of the book acted like a romantic princess over it, saying how happy he was that Riley took out the competition for him! I mean, what the fuck! And Riley, who up until a few minutes ago was pretty much "straight", is getting himself and the other guy hard? I mean, what?!
There was a book here that could've been great, but instead we get a book that I read to the end, and kind of wish I didn't. If there had've been a firmer hand, a good editor and a better connection between who the characters were, and what the book dictated they should be, this book could've been great, but it wasn't. First, and most likely last, Xavier Mayne for me.
Oh, and continuing my rant about MM covers - okay, fine, it's on theme, but you could've gone a little further and done something slightly more indiciative (or even glitzier, given the reality tv theme).
Disappointed.
Ugh. I have such conflicted feelings about this book.
On one hand, I loved the story, and the premise; set in the world of shows like the Bachelorette, where, of course, two bachelors fall in love instead. On the other, it was very silly.
One one hand, there were times when I really liked Riley and Asher and thought they were well-drawn. On the other, a few pages later, they were acting ridiculous, saying things no human would ever say.
On one hand, I liked Riley falling for Asher. On another, it brought up the whole problematic Gay-For-You debate that goes in MM romance. Was Riley GFY for Asher? He certainly didn't show any other interest in other men, and any that he does is related back to Asher.
It's a long book too. It zips along but it is long and by the time they have sex, it almost feels out of place.
Back to my framework:
On the one hand, I really like Mayne's writing at times, his use of myth as a backdrop, the character of Kaitlyn. On the other, I felt that this book needed a very good edit (actually, there were times I genuinely questioned whether or not there was an editor here).
On the one hand, Riley has never been with a guy before and he gets with Asher and he's fine, but on the other hand, towards the end of the book, Riley sexually assaults (comes on him, gets him hard in his sleep and makes it look like they were going at it!) a character to get him and himself kicked off the show - that really struck me as awful, but Asher, the supposed conscience of the book acted like a romantic princess over it, saying how happy he was that Riley took out the competition for him! I mean, what the fuck! And Riley, who up until a few minutes ago was pretty much "straight", is getting himself and the other guy hard? I mean, what?!
There was a book here that could've been great, but instead we get a book that I read to the end, and kind of wish I didn't. If there had've been a firmer hand, a good editor and a better connection between who the characters were, and what the book dictated they should be, this book could've been great, but it wasn't. First, and most likely last, Xavier Mayne for me.
Oh, and continuing my rant about MM covers - okay, fine, it's on theme, but you could've gone a little further and done something slightly more indiciative (or even glitzier, given the reality tv theme).
Disappointed.
February 7, 2014
Reviewed for Hearts On Fire Reviews - 4 1/2 hearts
Oh. My. God. A gay twist on the Bachelorette reality TV show? I could not wait to read this book (admitted show junkie here). I was expecting something good based on the theme alone (I would love nothing better than to see a real life gay Bachelor season). What I ended up reading was even better than what I expected and I loved it!
While the premise of the story is based on something very prominent in current culture, there were enough differences to make it fresh and unique (ex: competitions for dates, viewer voting). The behind-the-scenes glimpses definitely had me wondering how much of the real-life show is actually real vs. scripted or pre-determined. My naiveté may have been shattered as a result of reading this story!
I genuinely grew to love the characters of Riley and Asher. They initially started out as opponents challenging each other for the same prize, but things began to shift during the very first challenge event. From there, they developed a friendship that came to mean more than almost anything to both of them. The romantic element grew very gradually. It came easily for Asher who already knew he was gay (but concealing that fact on the show), and it came with a good amount of expected “freak out” for Riley who had never looked at another man the way he couldn’t help himself with Asher.
I also loved the robustness of the secondary characters associated with the story. Kaitlyn and Omar, the show’s producer and her assistant, were often quite hysterical in their dialogue. Even characters that made a very brief appearance were important in helping the story move forward.
For all of the slow build-up to the romance and hot stuff, the ending came about a little quickly and had a mixed reaction for me. I may have been a little ticked about one particular stunt that Riley pulled, but quickly lost my meager anger when I realized the why of it. Then, of course, the grand romantic gesture at the end totally made up for any initial concerns and all was forgiven!
I loved this author’s debut novel and book number two is no different. In fact, I can’t wait to see what book number three has in store – I’m expecting awesome!
Oh. My. God. A gay twist on the Bachelorette reality TV show? I could not wait to read this book (admitted show junkie here). I was expecting something good based on the theme alone (I would love nothing better than to see a real life gay Bachelor season). What I ended up reading was even better than what I expected and I loved it!
While the premise of the story is based on something very prominent in current culture, there were enough differences to make it fresh and unique (ex: competitions for dates, viewer voting). The behind-the-scenes glimpses definitely had me wondering how much of the real-life show is actually real vs. scripted or pre-determined. My naiveté may have been shattered as a result of reading this story!
I genuinely grew to love the characters of Riley and Asher. They initially started out as opponents challenging each other for the same prize, but things began to shift during the very first challenge event. From there, they developed a friendship that came to mean more than almost anything to both of them. The romantic element grew very gradually. It came easily for Asher who already knew he was gay (but concealing that fact on the show), and it came with a good amount of expected “freak out” for Riley who had never looked at another man the way he couldn’t help himself with Asher.
I also loved the robustness of the secondary characters associated with the story. Kaitlyn and Omar, the show’s producer and her assistant, were often quite hysterical in their dialogue. Even characters that made a very brief appearance were important in helping the story move forward.
For all of the slow build-up to the romance and hot stuff, the ending came about a little quickly and had a mixed reaction for me. I may have been a little ticked about one particular stunt that Riley pulled, but quickly lost my meager anger when I realized the why of it. Then, of course, the grand romantic gesture at the end totally made up for any initial concerns and all was forgiven!
I loved this author’s debut novel and book number two is no different. In fact, I can’t wait to see what book number three has in store – I’m expecting awesome!
September 5, 2014
There are two things I didn't like about this story. First, the fact that it ended. I was enjoying it so much I didn't want to come to the end. And second, the fact that I borrowed it, so now I can't go back and revisit these guys any time I want to. I may just have to buy it some day. This one is a keeper!
When Riley joins the reality show, Husband Material, in which 18 bachelor's compete for the hand of the bachelorette, it's because he's been left at the altar and he needs to get his head back on straight and rebuild his self-esteem. For months before the show starts, he preps by building muscle tone and becoming as physically fit as possible. From the very first event on the show, a jousting match, he determines that Asher, a former gymnast, is going to be a tough competitor to beat. The fact that Asher actually helps him win the first competition goes a long way in building the beginnings of a friendship.
Somewhere along the way, Riley starts to have more than just feelings of friendship for Archer and when the opportunities are presented, the men take advantage of the time they have to begin to add romance and love to their feelings of friendship. Asher introduces Riley to the joys of man on man sex and when Riley struggles with these changes, both men adapt and change, always in support of each other.
I can't even begin to express how much I enjoyed the events that happened along the way, up to and including the exciting end to the competition. I was a bit disappointed by the epilogue. The parts involving the guys were terrific but the way some of the issues with the producer worked out were a little too pat. Nevertheless, I wouldn't give the story less than 4.5 stars and I'm rounding up because the uplift to my spirit and the outright laugh-out-loud humor of some of the situations were like the cherries on the ice cream sundae.
I highly recommend this to all. Thank you for picking this for me, Brooklyn!
When Riley joins the reality show, Husband Material, in which 18 bachelor's compete for the hand of the bachelorette, it's because he's been left at the altar and he needs to get his head back on straight and rebuild his self-esteem. For months before the show starts, he preps by building muscle tone and becoming as physically fit as possible. From the very first event on the show, a jousting match, he determines that Asher, a former gymnast, is going to be a tough competitor to beat. The fact that Asher actually helps him win the first competition goes a long way in building the beginnings of a friendship.
Somewhere along the way, Riley starts to have more than just feelings of friendship for Archer and when the opportunities are presented, the men take advantage of the time they have to begin to add romance and love to their feelings of friendship. Asher introduces Riley to the joys of man on man sex and when Riley struggles with these changes, both men adapt and change, always in support of each other.
I can't even begin to express how much I enjoyed the events that happened along the way, up to and including the exciting end to the competition. I was a bit disappointed by the epilogue. The parts involving the guys were terrific but the way some of the issues with the producer worked out were a little too pat. Nevertheless, I wouldn't give the story less than 4.5 stars and I'm rounding up because the uplift to my spirit and the outright laugh-out-loud humor of some of the situations were like the cherries on the ice cream sundae.
I highly recommend this to all. Thank you for picking this for me, Brooklyn!
January 25, 2014
I think this is a great cover, but found the blurb badly worded. Might be just me but I thought That could have been clearer.
There really is a whole lot going on here. Fortunately Mayne has written a long book, so nothing is rushed or pushed under the carpet. He doesn't try to be judgemental about or analyse the cultural influences of reality TV. It's just assumed that readers accept that the entire program is complete fabrication and manipulation.
However there are opportunities for the novel to explore the idea of masculinity and this is done through the character of Asher. I didn't feel lectured, but I did understand I was being informed, I found it all vey interesting actually, (as did our sexually confused MC, Riley)
So there's the onscreen fight for Daphne, the behind the scenes struggles with identity, and the even further behind the scenes stuff with Kaitlyn and Omar. I guess I am not used to spending so much time in the heads of minor characters. We are usually so bound up with only the romantic leads. But even that was strange. Initially we are given a lot of Kaitlyn, but towards the end she disappears as a narrator... She does reappear at the climax btw.
Look I loved the interactions with Riley and Asher. Although their physical intimacy is smexy as all get out, there is not much of it. But that fits in naturally with the narrative. Riley is convinced he's not gay and Mayne doesn't rush or make light of struggle. It really is a process. Add in the fear of getting caught and kicked off, and you have a nicely built up authentic unresolved tension.
I am still working out my own feelings about it, I liked it more than his first book, it was better paced I think,
There really is a whole lot going on here. Fortunately Mayne has written a long book, so nothing is rushed or pushed under the carpet. He doesn't try to be judgemental about or analyse the cultural influences of reality TV. It's just assumed that readers accept that the entire program is complete fabrication and manipulation.
However there are opportunities for the novel to explore the idea of masculinity and this is done through the character of Asher. I didn't feel lectured, but I did understand I was being informed, I found it all vey interesting actually, (as did our sexually confused MC, Riley)
So there's the onscreen fight for Daphne, the behind the scenes struggles with identity, and the even further behind the scenes stuff with Kaitlyn and Omar. I guess I am not used to spending so much time in the heads of minor characters. We are usually so bound up with only the romantic leads. But even that was strange. Initially we are given a lot of Kaitlyn, but towards the end she disappears as a narrator... She does reappear at the climax btw.
Look I loved the interactions with Riley and Asher. Although their physical intimacy is smexy as all get out, there is not much of it. But that fits in naturally with the narrative. Riley is convinced he's not gay and Mayne doesn't rush or make light of struggle. It really is a process. Add in the fear of getting caught and kicked off, and you have a nicely built up authentic unresolved tension.
I am still working out my own feelings about it, I liked it more than his first book, it was better paced I think,
October 25, 2014
I quite liked this one.
I liked the build up between Riley and Asher. How Riley fell for Asher without realizing it, and there were some angst (which is always nice) when he was realizing that he was maybe gay.
The setting with the reality-TV was hilarious, and so ridiculous sometime that it almost felt like this could be real. I loved Kaitlyn and Omar, and their meddling, it added a humor to the read.
Now, what I didn't like.
Everything was good until Riley
Apart from that, I felt a bit disappointed in the ending. It felt a bit to "fairy-tale" for me. I would have liked it if Asher was not so completely okay with what Riley had done . It also felt a bit too sugary when Riley just surprised Asher at the school
Apart from being a bit to perfect, the ending also felt a bit rushed to me after all that build-up.
I liked the build up between Riley and Asher. How Riley fell for Asher without realizing it, and there were some angst (which is always nice) when he was realizing that he was maybe gay.
The setting with the reality-TV was hilarious, and so ridiculous sometime that it almost felt like this could be real. I loved Kaitlyn and Omar, and their meddling, it added a humor to the read.
Now, what I didn't like.
Everything was good until Riley
Apart from that, I felt a bit disappointed in the ending. It felt a bit to "fairy-tale" for me. I would have liked it if Asher was not so completely okay with what Riley had done . It also felt a bit too sugary when Riley just surprised Asher at the school
Apart from being a bit to perfect, the ending also felt a bit rushed to me after all that build-up.
August 8, 2015
I liked this one alot but I would have loved it if it was shorter. Both Riley and Asher are likable characters and there is a great deal of humor and fun in this book. It also has a great plot to hang the characters on. The problem lays with the length of this book. A great deal of the book revolves around Riley getting close to Asher and freaking out. Then Asher in turn pushing Riley away. It gets repetitive and a little mind numbing. Coupled with the incredulity long sex scene and I found myself wishing desperately for the end of the book instead of eagerly anticipating the next page.
January 26, 2014
3.5 stars. This is such a fun idea for a story. The challenges are entertaining and the characters are likable. In real life I avoid these types of shows like the plague, but here it was enjoyable to be behind the scenes.
A couple of things kept it from a higher rating. First, I felt that the length of the book diluted the story. A tighter plot would have eliminated some of the parts that dragged. And second, .
A couple of things kept it from a higher rating. First, I felt that the length of the book diluted the story. A tighter plot would have eliminated some of the parts that dragged. And second, .
January 27, 2014
The most unique premise for a book - I really liked this one. A lot. Highly recommended. Check it out and learn some behind-the-scenes details from a reality show and get to know two men who are ideal for each other... it just takes them awhile to get there. Ahhhhh Love. <3
February 27, 2016
Probably slightly shy of 4 stars. Not a quick read. Very much a slow burn... which I enjoyed. But it was like I waited and waited, and then it was over. The ending felt a bit rushed... Overall, a good read, though.
March 21, 2021
So fun! Slow burn, with a lot of "but I'm not gay" drama, but definitely a great read. I loved the friendship the guys developed that eventually led to more, and I thought the premise of them being reality show bachelors was cool. I really enjoyed this!
February 17, 2014
Would have been 4 or more stars if it hadn't been for that horrid and completely unnecessary sexual assault near the end which soured me on the entire story. :/
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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