Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book
Rate this book
Shane

A cat is a man's best friend, because they can't be bought or threatened. If they don't like you, they walk away, showing you their butthole. If they stick around, it's because they find you interesting. Mimsy's stayed with me through six years and across half the country, which means I'm not a total loser. We earn our daily bread and fishy treats by busking, and sometimes we get lucky.

Like this abandoned wine-tasting place we're squatting in. California climate so we don't need heat, running water still on, all the comforts of home. Sure, there's a weird guy with mental health issues who shows up now and then, but he keeps life interesting and he's not bad to look at. We might stick around Gaynor Beach for a while.

Theo

I finally have control of my grandparents' legacy, which means I can give away all the things they valued more than me. I have enough money to live on without theirs. The vineyard's easy. I'll give it to Manuel, the guy who did most of the work while never being allowed in their showplace mansion. I love imagining his kids bouncing on Grandmère's priceless antiques.

The wine-tasting parlor's harder. I'd like to burn it to the ground, but the cops frown on arson, plus when I went to check it out there was a homeless guy living in it. Instead of being scared of me— because I admit, I was losing it a bit when he spotted me— he cleaned up the cut on my arm and listened to me ramble. He had no clue who I was and I liked that. Maybe I can turn my grandparents' showroom into a homeless shelter. Or something for homeless animals. Shane loves his little cat, and I wouldn't mind if they stuck around for a while.

Impurrfections is a slow-burn romance between a guy who loves pets more than people, and a man trying to escape a painful legacy, who come together to build something better for themselves and Gaynor Beach. Warning for past history of emotional abuse

342 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 2, 2024

Loading...
Loading...

About the author

Kaje Harper

94 books2,755 followers
I get asked about my name a lot. It's not something exotic, though. “Kaje” is pronounced just like “cage” – it’s an old nickname, and my pronouns are she/her/hers.

I was born in Montreal but have lived for 30 years in Minnesota, where the two seasons are Snow-removal and Road-repair, where the mosquito is the state bird, and where winter can be breathtakingly beautiful. Minnesota’s a kind, quiet (if sometimes chilly) place and it’s home.

I’ve been writing far longer than I care to admit (*whispers – fifty years*), mostly for my own entertainment, usually M/M romance (with added mystery, fantasy, historical, SciFi…) I also have a few Young Adult stories (some released under the pen name Kira Harp.)

My husband finally convinced me that after all the years of writing for fun, I really should submit something, somewhere. My first professionally published book, Life Lessons, came out from MLR Press in May 2011. I have a weakness for closeted cops with honest hearts, and teachers who speak their minds, and I had fun writing four novels and three freebie short stories in that series. I was delighted and encouraged by the reception Mac and Tony received.

I now have a good-sized backlist in ebooks and print, both free and professionally published. A complete list with links can be found on my website "Books" page at https://kajeharper.com/.

You can find me and my book reviews on my author page here on Goodreads - I hang out on Goodreads a lot because I moderate the Goodreads YA LGBT Books group. I also post free short YA stories on that group, more than 50 of them so far.

You can also find me on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/KajeHarper

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
74 (44%)
4 stars
68 (40%)
3 stars
22 (13%)
2 stars
4 (2%)
1 star
0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
Profile Image for Dani (Daniiireads).
2,140 reviews356 followers
March 27, 2024
3.5 ⭐️

I enjoyed Impurrfections, but I’m on the fence.

I really loved the depictions of the cats and dogs, how well they were taken care of, and the rescue itself, but I struggled with the people.

Both Theo and Shane carry baggage from their tumultuous childhoods, while vastly different do end up connecting because of the shared similarities of their pasts, but I never really connected with them like I’d hoped. I did think their relationship was sweet, but something was just missing for me.

Impurrfections is my first read by Kaje, but I’d totally be down to read some more of their work.
Profile Image for ancientreader.
827 reviews323 followers
March 25, 2024
Right off the bat, I want to give Kaje Harper almost all the props for her depiction of cats and dogs and their appropriate care and training. Under a spoiler cut for those not fascinated by such details:

I wish I'd liked the rest of the book as much as I liked the animal-related material. Unfortunately, neither Shane nor Theo ever really came alive for me. Both of them had plenty of backstory, and the plot setup is nifty, with Shane and Mimsy squatting in a vacant building that turns out to be owned by Theo, who has a traumatic history with the place. Maybe both men's emotional difficulties were resolved too easily; also, I wasn't convinced by Shane's transition from wary homeless (not just unhoused) guy to confident bossy-in-bed lover. The plot premises belong with more emotional complexity and more careful, slow development than we get.

Thanks to GRR for the ARC.
Profile Image for Heather K (dentist in my spare time).
4,131 reviews6,990 followers
March 2, 2026
I know Kaje Harper and her books very well, and I usually adore them, but Impurrfections was a bit slow for me. The chemistry was so hesitant- it's one step forward and two steps back for these two all the time. You have to be a patient reader and be okay with a romance that isn't a super passionate one.

I love that Kaje's knowledge and passion for animals always comes through her stories, and this one gave it a chance to shine. Very sweet animal content. Unfortunately, I didn't connect with the story as much as I wanted.

goodreads|instagram
Profile Image for Ami.
6,331 reviews484 followers
April 10, 2024
3.5 stars

While I liked the story enough - the cat, Mimsy, is a star! - but I recently finished two books where the story felt more tender and comforting. So the emotion hit me differently with this one - less intimate. There's the common "money issue" with Shane refusing Theo's help in form of money, despite Theo being a millionaire. But I was happy that Theo did understand Shane's position, and the fight about this didn't last too long.

Profile Image for Caz.
3,372 reviews1,227 followers
June 7, 2024
I've given this a B- at AAR, so 3.5 stars rounded up.

Impurrfections is one of five books in the multi-author Friends of Gaynor Beach Animal Rescue series, and I think this is probably one of those series where the books are only loosely linked, so it’s not necessary to read all of them or read in order. This one is a cute, low-angst romance between two guys from opposite sides of the tracks, and as I’m very much a cat person, I really enjoyed reading about Shane’s beloved feline companion, Mimsy.

Shane Webster has lived on the road for the past decade or so going wherever life takes him, and at the beginning of the book, he and Mimsy (who found him and adopted him about six years earlier) have just arrived in Gaynor Beach in California. He’s never been to the ocean before and decides that they should stick around for a while and enjoy the sunshine, maybe do a bit of busking to make some cash – he needs to keep Mimsy in treats and kibble, after all. Wandering around looking for somewhere to hunker down while they’re in town, Shane comes across an abandoned building that looks like it used to be some sort of fancy office space. It’s down a long-ish driveway so it’s quiet and not overlooked, which is ideal; he finds a way in and gets them both settled before heading out to find them some food.

Theo Lafontaine is the owner of the building, which used to be part of his grandparents’ wine-making business. He lived with them after his mother died and his father abandoned him to go and live in Paris, but it wasn’t a pleasant existence, as they regarded him mainly as not-hired help, someone to carry glasses and charm visitors, scrub toilets and clean floors. When they died two years earlier, Theo’s father crawled out of the woodwork to challenge the will that bequeathed everything to Theo, but now probate is complete, Theo can finally take ownership and decide what to do with the business and the properties that go with it. What he wants is to have nothing to do with it; he’s making a good living flipping houses and doesn’t need the vineyard, so he signs the business and his grandparents’ former home over to their production manager as recompense for his years of hard work for little recognition, meaning all that’s left is to deal with is the wine tasting building, a place where he spent a lot of time as a kid and that holds a lot of unpleasant memories.

A few days later, Theo arrives at the tasting building for the first time in years and is surprised at how much it unsettles him. On edge, he makes his way to the tasting room that had been his grand-mère’s pride and joy, and as painful memories come flooding back, he picks up the nearest planter and starts swinging it at the full length mirrors on the walls. He’s lost in the glee of destruction when a hand on his arm brings him up short and he turns to see a tall, scruffily dressed young man, who obviously isn’t a security guard, asking him to stop. When the guy suggests they can share the space, Theo realises he’s squatting there and has obviously assumed that he is houseless as well, but something stops him from telling the truth about his situation. He and Shane chat for a while (and Mimsy gets scritches) and when Theo leaves, he suggests he might be back in a couple of days.

Later that day, Shane is walking along the beach when he meets Kevin, a teenaged ball of curiosity, who suggests that perhaps his friend Arthur could offer Shane some work. Arthur has pretty much turned his home into an animal shelter because Gaynor Beach doesn’t have one and the local foster program is bursting at the seams, and is only too pleased to have an extra pair of hands around now and then.

Theo does go back to see Shane a couple of days later, and as their paths continue to cross, attraction takes root and blooms, and although Shane quickly realises that Theo isn’t unhoused, he doesn’t know the extent of Theo’s wealth. Of course, the longer Theo keeps his secret, the worse the telling of it is going to get, but seeing Shane’s intense desire for independence and having been shot down a few times when suggesting he should pay for things that Shane can’t, makes Theo wary of fessing up for fear Shane will walk away. Also - of course - the bombshell drops at the worst possible moment, and this disparity in their situations is the main source of conflict in the romance, which is otherwise very low-angst.

Shane and Theo are likeable guys who have gone their own way for many years and now have to work out if they’re prepared to make the changes necessary to make room for someone else in their lives. Shane is fiercely independent and adamant about not accepting charity; Theo has lots of money but has never known the kind of happiness that Shane seems to have achieved. They both have to learn where they can compromise and how to respect boundaries if they’re to make a go of things together, but they make a good couple despite their differences and I liked how supportive of each other they are and that they communicate like adults to sort out their problems.

But my favourite character was Mimsy, without a doubt! She’s an integral part of the story without overshadowing it and I really liked her relationship with Shane; he’s her human and he obviously adores her. In fact, all the animals in the story are depicted realistically, and I liked the way the detail about their care and training is woven into the story. I also appreciated the way the author shows an awareness of the difficulties faced by people like Shane, who cannot easily access jobs, healthcare etc. because getting and ID costs money and needs documentation they often don’t have.

I do think that Shane’s and Theo’s issues are ‘solved’ quite quickly, and the pacing flags a bit towards the end, but all in all, Impurrfections is a sweet and charming read, and if you’re someone who prefers lower-angst romances (and likes cats), I’d urge you to check it out.
Profile Image for Fritz42.
1,686 reviews
June 1, 2024
Everytime I read a Kaje Harper book, it IMMEDIATELY reminds me of why she is one of my favorite, auto-buy authors. This book definitely fulfills that.

One of the things I love about her books are her characters, how complicated and nuanced they are, as well as how you can relate with them. Both Theo and Shane are these types of characters.

Theo had a loveless childhood, yelled at more than he ever heard a loving word. Due a lucky set of circumstances, he was able to make something of his life through construction and flipping houses. He didn't want for anything materially, but he longed for someone that loved him and wouldn't leave him.

Shane also had a hard childhood, being the oldest of a brood of children and expected to be the responsible one to help raise them in the face of some emotionally distance parents. He was able to get out of that burdensome life at the expense of security. He wandered around for 9 years, working some odd jobs, but mostly homeless during that time. Some of that time he spent with his intelligent cat named Mimsy. The two of them would busk for their living.

Shane and Theo connect at the site of an empty building that Theo owns that holds horrible memories for him. The two of them connect, but there at emotional pitfalls along the way due to the remnants of their pasts.

This story was so enjoyable to me. Definitely one of my favorites for 2024. I loved how they had to work through their fears to find a strong relational foundation they both could handle. I loved meeting the different people in Gaynor Beach. I'm definitely checking out the different books in this spinoff series as well as the original series, "Single Dads of Gaynor Beach."
Profile Image for a_fret_argent.
244 reviews8 followers
February 11, 2025
This book is probably a lot more fun for people who don't have preexisting animal rescue trauma 😅
Profile Image for Pontiki.
2,639 reviews10 followers
March 27, 2024
When Shane and his beloved cat Mimsy show up in Gaynor Beach, he figures it’s a nice temporary stop, a place to do some busking and enjoy the sun. He finds an abandoned building to squat in, and hopes no one notices him.

The building is owned by Theo, but it’s full of bad memories of his grandparents, who treated him as an employee, cold and critical, after his Dad left him with them, until he left at age 17.

They meet when Theo is taking his anger out on a mirrored wall, and Shane patches up a gash he gets from the glass. They talk more, and Shane realizes Theo isn’t also a squatter, eventually also recognizing he’s probably rich.

By then they’ve shared their stores and what happened after they left their homes, and they’ve also given in to their attraction.

Meanwhile, Shane helps out Arthur, who fosters several animals at his house, and it’s evident a shelter would be great for the community. Once Theo hears of this he wants to donate his building, and though Shane is angry he didn’t tell him he owned it, they eventually reconcile.

They fight for the shelter when a homeowner challenges it being placed there, and all their dreams come true when the shelter is renovated and up and running.

A sweet story, with Shane’s independence and hesitation to trust being slowly overcome by Theo’s acceptance and willingness to give him all the space snd choice he needs.

I received this ARC for free and am providing my honest review with thanks.
Profile Image for Heather MMRomanceReviewed.
1,806 reviews102 followers
Read
April 4, 2024
I absolutely fell in love with Mimsy and honestly, I lived for mentions of her... the human relationship held my interest in varying degrees, but what I really wanted to see were the car's reactions.. but seriously, the love story was sweet and low angst and the characters gained strength and grew together in a sweet and lovely way. It was a lovely addition to the Friends of Gaynor Beach Animal Rescue series and it was lovely to see both Anthony and Arthur having cameos.
Profile Image for Raven and Chris.
3,547 reviews30 followers
March 29, 2024
This book was good. Theo and Shane have some insane chemistry but their gap in lifestyles is a major roadblock for Shane. Theo has also been homeless and fending for himself, but he isn’t anymore. These two have to get to know each other on even terms. It was a good read and I loved the idea of what to do with the building.
Profile Image for Bkwrm24.
1,976 reviews14 followers
April 9, 2024
Shane and Theo ❤️

3 Stars ⭐️

I wasn't quite convinced by these two main character and the relationship in parts of this read, I did however adore the animals. All in all it was a sweet story, just not a deep as Kaje Harper's usual stories.

* I received an ARC from GRR, this is my open and honest review *
Profile Image for Tessi4M.
548 reviews22 followers
October 22, 2024
Shane and Theo have both – more or less voluntarily – parted ways with their families. When they meet in the abandoned building that used to host the wine-tasting business of Theo’s grandparents, Theo, already quite well-off in his own right, just inherited the multi-million dollar winery whereas Shane is homeless drifting from place to place with only cat Mimsy for company.
While Theo considers which project to take on next with his business and what to do with the wine-tasting parlor, the two get closer. They talk books, eventually family, and they help out Arthur whose house is overcrowded with rescue cats and dogs.
As Shane finally starts thinking about putting down roots and staying put and Theo realizes that the bad memories he has of Gainor Beach from his childhood can be replaced by better ones, they work hard on their relationship; the difference in their financial situations is an issue that requires compromise and I felt this was handled very well.
A totally heartwarming story – extra bonus for Mimsy.
Profile Image for Lillian Francis.
Author 15 books102 followers
April 20, 2024
Gorgeous, gentle Romance. Both MCs had very different but equally difficult childhoods that left them dealing with problems into adulthood. Despite their baggage this is a comparatively low angst story.
I loved Theo's way of dealing with a legacy that could have been a poisoned chalice. Theo has a big heart and tries so hard to be what Shane needs even though all his instincts want to use his money to make things better for Shane. Shane is proud and fiercely independent, I adored his relationship with his cat, Mimsy.
Gaynor Beach is a lovely backdrop to the story.
Arthur and all his furry animals grabbed my heart. Now I need a HEA for this man with a soft centre.

Highly Recommended.
Profile Image for Pjm12.
2,044 reviews41 followers
April 14, 2024
Very fond of this author's work. There's always detail and strong inclusion of diverse characters.

Loved the ending.
203 reviews2 followers
March 28, 2024
I received a free copy. This review is submitted voluntarily.

Shane is a free spirit who has just gone where the road has taken him over the past few years, accompanied by his cat Mimsy. He arrived in Gaynor Beach and wanders out of sheer curiosity. He ends up in a building whose purpose he can’t guess. He goes to the beach, for the first time seeing the ocean. While there he meets Kevin, a teen with his dog and Arthur, the man seen in several volumes in the series (I haven’t read them all to be able to say he’s in all of them) and who runs an unofficial animal shelter. Theo is a troubled guy whose youth was traumatic working for his grandparents at their winery. After a two-year court battle over probate of the will, he gets his revenge by gifting the whole winery to the man who did all of the work. The only task he has left is to deal with the tasting venue, the building where Shane is squatting. Initially, he can’t stand to enter the building but does, going a bit berserk breaking mirrors. Luckily, he’s stopped by Shane. Theo hasn’t figured out what to do with the tasting venue (worth some $7 million) until he comes up with the idea of Arthur forming a non-profit and receiving to venue as a gift. He and Shane go through several difficulties, primarily due to Shane’s desire for independence, and eventually arrive at their happy ending.

The two MCs are total opposites, with Shane having no money and having to busk with his cat to earn any. Theo is wealthy from flipping houses and works hard not to give Shane many gifts, given the latter’s desire for independence as mentioned above. There is of course a third MC, and that’s Mimsy the cat who is trained to do tricks on command and is a boon to Shane’s busking. The two of them are great fun, with Theo being the offsetting straight guy (of course not sexually). The secondary characters are important to plot development to greater or lesser degrees, including Arthur, the town counsellors, Theo’s father, and a few short appearances by other characters. The storyline was for the most part straightforward with a few twists along the way. That plot was one that I hadn’t read before but it was one that I truly enjoyed.
Profile Image for Sandy Kay.
1,038 reviews99 followers
April 8, 2024
A moving and charming have and have-not MM romance with wonderful animal characters too. Kaje Harper never shies away from the truth of difficult situations and has a masterful hand at making them accessible, authentic, and interesting. And romantic, with a poignancy all her own.

Shane has no home, no current ID, and nearly nothing to his name, but he is rich with his companion, Mimsy the cat, who performs with him and helps earn their keep whichever way the wind blows them.

Theo has all the money he could ever need, but the source brings nothing but pain. His awful grandparents who emotionally abused him all his life left him everything, and Theo is in the process of giving it all away.

When Shane finds a new town—Gaynor Beach—to stay in for a while, and an abandoned building for his and his cat Mimsy’s temporary home, his path crosses that of a strange man having a breakdown and smashing mirrors inside. Assuming the stranger is another drifter, he takes care of Theo’s wounds and welcomes him, but Theo soon runs off. As their paths continue to cross, Shane realizes Theo isn’t unhomed, and has plenty of money but also a tender heart of gold worth knowing.

The very wary Shane has only his pride at times, and is quick to correct Theo for any missteps or assumptions that Shane can’t provide for himself. Theo is dealing with the aftermath of his grandparents’ deaths and not always thinking clearly…but Shane makes things clear and good and spending time with the plucky man becomes Theo’s favorite thing. As the two get closer over helping another local with a houseful of stray animals, is there any hope their disparate worlds can make a purrfect match?

With the secret Theo’s kept and Shane’s daunting pride, it’s a rocky road, but one well worth reading. Sensual romance and heartfelt themes are this author’s specialty, and the story shines with hope and love. Secondary characters are well developed and support the story, and the animals steal the show.

HEA, hurt-comfort, have/have not, homelessness, no cheating or any others (colorful pasts are discussed respectfully but don’t impact the present). A beautiful, emotional read. Highly recommended.

My thanks to Gay Romance Reviews for the ARC; this is my free and impartial opinion.
Profile Image for Gabbi Grey.
Author 94 books285 followers
April 2, 2024
Mimsy, Shane, & Theo – the magic trio

Don’t worry – this isn’t a menage story. This is a gay romance. A love story between Theo and Shane. But if you think Mimsy the cat doesn’t play a pivotal role, then you’re missing the best part of the book. The Friends of Gaynor Beach Animal Rescue series is about that – rescuing animals. But, in reality, it’s often the humans who need rescuing.

Now, Shane picked Mimsy up months ago while in the northern part of the country. He’s made his way south for a warmer place to stay in winter. He ends up in Gaynor Beach and, after a bit of scouting, finds shelter in an old wine tasting home. Grand, in a posh neighborhood, and abandoned. He and Mimsy take up residence and all is great until he encounters Theo. At first, he believes Theo’s not got a home either, and he offers to share what little he has. He gets by busking on the street – he’s got a great routine with Mimsy who is, by far, the smartest cat I’ve ever seen.

Theo’s intrigued by the man who’s taken up residence in his grandparents’ former property. The property he now owns – after a nasty battle with his own father. Theo wants to burn the place down and to obliterate all the horrific memories. Except Shane shows him all the possibilities.

Somewhere in all this, Arthur gets involved. Dear Arthur who can’t say no to an animal in need. Gaynor Beach doesn’t have a shelter – just volunteers and a vet who do their best. Shane steps in to help with a pregnant dog so Arthur doesn’t have to say ‘no’. Then Shane ropes in Theo and… Magic.

I’ve already probably given away too much, but I want to share how much Theo and Shane meant to me. How much I loved Mimsy. How I wanted to wrap Arthur in a big hug. There are also plenty of cameos from other Gaynor Beach books, including characters from Kaje’s story, Alec. I hope you fall in love with this small town as much as I have and I can’t wait for the next book. Anyway, you have to check out Impurrfections…
Profile Image for Anne Barwell.
Author 24 books108 followers
April 14, 2024
I’m already a fan of this author, and was invested in Shane, Theo, and Mimsy and their story very quickly. I enjoyed the backdrop of Gaynor Beach, with its mix of likeable, and not-so likeable inhabitants. I’ll need to read more now!

I liked how the author doesn’t shy away from the reality of being homeless. A slow burn is perfect, and realistic, for Shane and Theo. They both have pasts they need to move forward from, and everything that goes with that. Theo’s grandparents, and Shane’s mother and stepfather are all terrible at raising kids but for different reasons, and Theo’s father is a total piece of work. I loved how everything worked out, and how Shane and Theo – and Mimsy – got their HEA.

Mimsy caught my heart from the beginning. She’s an amazing cat, yet still very much a cat. I loved her interactions with the other animals, especially Foxy.

I liked how both Shane and Theo’s pasts were revealed, and thought it made sense for Shane to be so independent. He’s had to be and needs to find his own way rather than someone providing for him, even with the best of intentions. Poor Theo. Even his life after leaving his nasty grandparents isn’t great.

Gaynor Beach came to life and was easy to visualise. I loved the supporting cast, with cameos, and especially Wynn and Arthur. Wynn rocks. I love the glimpse of his life in this, and need to read his book. Arthur has such a huge heart, especially with looking after animals. I hope he gets his own HEA.

3,670 reviews39 followers
April 2, 2024
This is a story that features the homeless and animal lovers, versus those who feel that money entitles them to make decisions, on zoning and who is really 'welcome' in a town!

Shane, a busker comes into town with the cat that travels with him and is part of his act.

Theo has arrived in town to make a decision of what to do with the winery he has inherited. The winery has only bad memories for Theo and he just wants to dispose of it. Theo has gifted the vineyard to Manual, the long time worker who was treated as poorly as Theo was by his grandparents.

He discovers Shane squatting in the wine tasting building but decides to let him stay. Theo has no need for the $7 million piece of property.

An abandoned puppy brings Shane in contact with Arthur, who fosters animals in his home. This leads to Theo learning of the communities' need for an animal shelter. Then he decides to repurpose the tasting room to a shelter.

Things really get heated in Gaynor Beach when the wealthy neighbors take umbrage to 'barking dogs' impinging as it will lower the value of their homes!

Prepare to enjoy a town hall meeting and a romance that is genuine and perfect!

I received an ARC from GRR.
1,913 reviews9 followers
April 8, 2024
Sweet story of two men with similar background stories but less similar in present day. Shane is basically a homeless vagabond, on his own and moving around the country for the last 9 years, most recently with his cat Mimsy. Shane is new to Gaynor Beach, and has found an abandoned winery tasting building as a place to stay. Without a job, he gets money as a busker, performing with Mimsy to the delight of audiences and adding needed funds to his pocket. The two men meet when Theo runs into Shane at the winery building.
Theo grew up in Gaynor Beach and spent many unpleasant hours at the wine tasting building, all with memories he still has a hard time facing. He is wealthy now due to his occupation, and he has inherited the winery building and is unsure whether to bulldoze it or figure another use for it. When the idea to turn it into an animal shelter comes up, he latches on to the idea, with the help of Shane. With many hurdles in the way of the project and their relationship, Shane and Theo learn things about themselves, and realize their dreams may be here in Gaynor Beach — if they can get past old hang ups to face a future together.
Engaging characters and an enjoyable read in the Gaynor Beach series.
Profile Image for Sarita Chapdelaine.
1,255 reviews1 follower
April 2, 2024
This was an interesting read for me as I loved Mimsy, Arthur and how well the author did with all of the cat and dog content including proper care and training but I couldn't connect with Shane and Theo at all. They both had a lot of issues from their pasts that were still affecting them and the way they dealt with each other and their relationship. Even though they had smoking hot chemistry I found it hard to see them as a couple. I wish they had a stronger connection and that their relationship wasn't quite so one sided. Shane was the more interesting of the two as I loved how much he wanted to help Arthur with all of his fosters and how much he loved Mimsy but overall their lack of a connection took away some of my enjoyment of the story. My favorite parts of this book are the animals and the secondary characters and I would absolutely love to see more of Arthur and the rescue in the future.

I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.
Profile Image for ButtonsMom2003.
4,009 reviews32 followers
April 3, 2024
I love romance books that include animals – even better when they are rescues. Shane's cat Mimsy is one of the most intriguing animal characters I've ever read in a story. I'm not a cat person but I am an animal person. I have no idea if cats can be trained to do the things that Mimsy does in this book but I loved reading about her tricks anyway.

Theo and Shane need each other but it takes Shane a while to give into that. This book was sweet and spicy and heartwarming. There are some bad actors that provide the right amount of conflict but good triumphs over bad in this very entertaining story.

I haven't read a lot of the other Gaynor Beach related books but I know many of the secondary characters in this story are from other books and I enjoyed visiting again with the ones I did recognize. I don't know if Arthur, who fosters pets and plays an important role in Impurrfections, is getting his own book or not but I'd love to read his story.

An advanced copy of this book was provided to me at my request; my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author.
Profile Image for Peter Fenton.
Author 9 books111 followers
May 1, 2024
Impurrfections: Friends of Gaynor Beach Animal Rescue, by Kaje Harper is a delightful and charming tale. It’s the story of the budding relationship between Theo and Shane which we watch grow from hesitancy into interest that soon becomes an attraction and irresistible passion. 

It is a well paced book that you don’t want to rush through but, rather, get to know slowly like a guy you’re interested in but are not certain of. In this tale of a growing relationship, Harper lets her character's stories slowly come out, revealing two complex men who are each troubled by their own childhood demons. It is a novel filled with life-altering decisions, wonderful conflict and the most delightful feline character I have seen in a book.

In Impurrfections Harper’s skill as a writer shines bright. She is a writer who knows real relationships. She fills her tale with lovely descriptions punctuated by beautiful emotion and still finds time to create one of the most powerfully written scenes I have read in a romance.
340 reviews1 follower
April 7, 2024
This is my second foray into the world of kaje harper and it won’t be my last. Impurrfections features Theo who seemingly has a lot with a thriving construction/renovation business and Shane who has nothing really except Mimsy (his cat) and his pride. Even though these two look very different on the outside, they are kindred souls in many ways who really work for their HEA. Does Mimsy steal the show? Yes, but I still loved Shane and Theo. Meanwhile if you’re not a cat person, don’t worry, dogs are heavily featured as well in this book in the Friends of Gaynor Beach Animal Rescue. It is a stand alone though appears to be set in the world of Alec from the Single Dads of Gaynor Beach which is part of a multi author series set in the same world. You’ll get sucked in by Mimsy’s adorable tricks but will stay for Shane and Theo’s HEA because both of them need their hearts out back together.
652 reviews6 followers
April 8, 2024
Shane and Theo are very likeable men who are living in completely opposite situations. After an interesting first meeting, they begin a tentative friendship. As they slowly build trust, they begin sharing their horrible childhood experience, and start bonding more. They share some ups and downs, sexy times, and some sweet moments as they develop a deeper connection while trying to figure out their next steps, both separately and together.
My absolute favourite character is Mimsy, the very talented cat who has such a strong personality, made me smile, and is a great companion to Shane.
I really enjoyed the MC's and others getting together to create a much needed animal shelter.
While I would have liked a little more relationship development between Shane and Theo, and found that the story dragged out a bit to long in parts, it was, overall, an entertaining and enjoyable book.

I received an ARC from GRR, this is my honest opinion.
5,126 reviews19 followers
April 9, 2024
Emotional story. Shane, is a wanderer and Mimsey is traveling companion and best friend. He lands in an abandoned wine tasting facility and decides to stay awhile, able to leave when he is ready. Theo, has bad memories of the wine tasting facility and his GrandParents. When he meets Shane, he doesn’t reveal his connections to the facility. He implies he’s a fellow traveler. Theo, has a good job renovating and flipping houses. He is in town to dispose of his Grandparents facility, so he can return home to San Diego and his life. Shane and Theo, start an uneasy relationship with no name. This is a good story about facing one’s fears and making decisions of next steps while identifying the priorities of one’s life. Great flow, good story with emotions handled with sensitivity inspiring trust. Great characters, funny neighbors, delightful pets, smooth story. Mimsey is the star of the story! I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.
936 reviews6 followers
March 30, 2024
4/5 This was a sweet, low-angst read where Shane and Theo found one another right when they most needed someone. It was lovely to watch them connect and figure out how to support one another. There were solid challenges to navigate given how disparate their situations were and Shane’s desire to make his own way. But they had actual conversations like adults and worked to figure this out together, which was lovely to see. There was a good balance of Shane and Theo both helping one another, nothing to do with money.

Mimsy was the best cat ever, and I loved the relationship that she and Shane had. All the animals were awesome, and it was nice to see how many people cared about them. Seeing Theo get to turn something from his past that was dragging him down so much into something so positive was really uplifting.

I received an ARC from GRR. This is my honest review.
374 reviews
April 6, 2024
Rich guy - poor guy stories are among my favorite tropes. Theo and Shane fit the mold perfectly. Their differences are obvious, but so is there connection. They are a wonderful and spicy couple.

This book had some great supporting characters, of which many were of the 4-legged furry variety. I am delighted when animals appear in books and this one had many.

Money was a constant issue throughout the entire book, but the author introduced enough other issues for the money issue not to feel too exhausted.There was some angst and I love when a book has a great comeuppance scene so this one thrilled me. I may have read that scene more than once.

Shane is such a strong and independent character so I couldn’t help but root for him. Theo is so patient and supportive. I enjoyed seeing the development of their relationship.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews