Love Language

by Jax Calder

Ashton I’ve shared an office with Dominic, the grumpy raincloud to my endless sunshine, for three and a half years. My roommates and colleagues are convinced I’m obsessed with him, and okay, maybe I am slightly curious about what he signed to me at the staff mid-winter party. Was it one of his normal snarky insults? A limerick? Directions to the nearest coffee shop? But am I ready to discover what Dominic actually wants to say to me?

Love Language is a 13,000 word light and fluffy MM novella featuring a cantankerous computer programmer and a bubbly marketing assistant who unexpectedly learn that in the silence of gestures, love speaks the loudest.

Genres: Romance, M M Romance, Novella, Contemporary, LGBT, Contemporary Romance, Queer

72 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 16, 2024

About the author

Jax's stories are all about light-hearted conversations and deeply-felt connections. She loves exploring exactly why two characters are the only ones who’ll make the other truly happy, and the journey they take to reach their happily-ever-after.

Jax lives in New Zealand and is a rabid sports fan, a hiking enthusiast and has a slightly unhealthy addiction to nature documentaries. As an extrovert who spends way too much time in her own head, she loves to connect with readers. To read her exclusive novella Being Set Up, sign up to her newsletter: https://jaxcalder.com/newsletter-sign.... You can also join her Facebook group Jax's Crew (www.facebook.com/groups/jaxcaldercrew) for bonus stories plus exclusive excerpts from her upcoming books.

Reviews

[len ❀ · Rating 1 out of 5]

- ott and not the good kind
- dialogue that tries to be comical but comes off as cringe instead. also very bland.
- oblivious idiots who are in love with each other from the beginning. everyone but them knows. 🥱
- flat, superficial characters who have no personalities besides being a grump and a sunshine
- “say something in sign to me” is the equivalent of “say something in spanish” when i tell people i can speak the language and it’s actually annoying
- “so are you gonna teach me sign language” no
- i have no idea how old these characters are but they acted 18
- meddling friends/coworkers who made a bet on when they’d get together
- sex with absolutely no tension
- no chemistry
- the best thing about this was that it was short and i was able to finish it in less than an hour

[Snjez · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I thought this was really cute. I liked the characters and their dynamics. Their banter was fun most of the time.

My absolutely favourite part was the sign language and how it was used. That was so adorable. As well as all the thoughtful little things Dominic did for Ashton. I love it when there's some pining involved, and here it was mutual.

I only wish the intimate scene was either fade to black or completely omitted. It felt rushed and forced in a story this short. And kind of out of place.

[~✡~Dαni(ela) ♥ ♂♂ love & semi-colons~✡~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

~4.5~

So good, I read it twice!

Perfect office romance and grumpy/sunshine pairing.

I adored Ash and Dominic and wanted to start at the beginning when they first began sharing an office.

The way Dominic subtly woed Ash by buying Ash's favorite roast beef sandwich (without cucumbers!) and using his status as senior engineer to strong-arm the boss into buying a fish tank (before Ash could even submit his petition) ... that's the stuff dreams are made of.

The HEA was everything and more.

Half star off because I didn't want this novella to end, but, alas, it did.

Also, I'm gonna say it: I am so over the "cartoon" cover trend. No more please.

[Carol [Goodreads Addict] · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Language is a short novella by Jax Calder. I read it in just a couple of hours but oh my gosh, the characters will stay with me forever. This was the absolute sweetest, swooniest book EVER!!!



Ashton and Dominic have shared an office for three and a half years. Technically, they shouldn’t have even been in the same office. But circumstances put them together and then neither of them wanted to move. Dominic is the gifted coder. People are a little bit afraid of him. He’s grumpy, barely speaks to anyone and a loner. Ashton is the opposite in every way. He’s walking sunshine. He’s in PR and is maybe a little bit obsessed with Dominic. He makes it a point every single day to do anything he can to get some sort of response out of him. He’s become fluent in Dominic’s grunts. These two both communicate in snarks. Until one evening, Dominic signed something to Ashton and now Ashton just has to find out what he said.



I don’t think I was more than one page in when I already know I was in love with this little book. Stories like this is why I read. They make my heart so happy. The ending was perfect. For something so short, it had a huge impact. I couldn’t have loved it more.

For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...

[Florence . · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ”Sometimes when I’m around you, I can’t breathe because I want you so much” stars

“I was just thinking that when I was evaluating the risk versus reward of us taking things further, I seriously underestimated the reward part.”

My brain has been feeling like a massive black hole lately and the latest thing I have seemingly lost in the void is my capacity to focus on anything for more than 2 minutes in a row. And this included my capacity to read anything. I will start reading a book and then put it down after 5 pages and never open it again. So, I decided to try and read some novellas as a way to get myself reading anything of substance and I finished managed to finish reading something. This book was only about 60 pages so I probably do not deserve that much merit but finishing this book made me feel like I just ran two marathons in a row, so I will count it as a win. I live in hopes that someday soon I can pick up an actual novel and finish reading it, but in the meantime, I really enjoyed this little novella and I really wanted to talk about it.

Brief summary
Ashton and Dominic have been coworkers for three and a half years and they both have been pining for the other, but they weren’t sure that the other was into them, so they never said anything, until a work party changed everything.

I have been very outspoken about my love of stories where the main characters have been pining for each other for years and they are too scared to admit it but then they finally admit it and turns out that they are perfect for each other, and this novella was just such a good take on the topic. I loved how Dominic was the typical prickly guy, but he paid attention to Ashton and what he likes and how he used this knowledge to do cute things for Ashton when Ashton had a bad day or wanted something. I just found it so adorable, and it really worked for me.

Also, I loved how Dominic had been doing little attentions for Ashton for years, but Ashton was super oblivious to them and never realized that Dominic is in love with him and had been showing that through all of his actions. I just found their dynamic super fun to read, and I was super invested in their actions and their talks, and I just wanted to see how things would develop and how they would admit their love for each other.

I really loved their banter and how they talked to each other. They kept bickering but it was all done with love, and you could really see how much they enjoyed each other through their bickering, and it was so much fun to read. This was such an entertaining read, and I was so enthralled by their banter that I just had to keep reading the book to see where their relationship would go, and I am happy to report that I really enjoyed that place. Their relationship was just so much fun to me.

This novella spent a lot of time establishing Ashton and Dominic as characters, but also establishing their dynamic and it really worked for me because it made me super invested in them. This was a short read, but the book just made me so invested in Ashton and Dominic and I just had to keep reading to see what would happen to them and I was super happy with the turn of events. This book just made me really feel for these two characters and then gave me this super enjoyable and rewarding resolution to the story and that really enhanced my reading experience for this book.

Also, this book just had the best vibes, and it was so much fun to read. It was so cute and fluffy but also so hear whelming and romantic and I had a big smile on my face the entire time I was reading the book.

I received an ARC of this book and this is my honest opinion.

[Clara's Book Lab · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect definition of SHORT AND SWEET!!! 💓💓💓💓💓

This was a very masterful piece of novella because how did this book capture such a charming heartfelt story in just 50 pages??? I even teared up at the end!

I read this while I was sick in bed and it put the biggest smile on my face, and I think I feel better? No medicine needed, just a cute wholesome book with a tiny dash of spice for me 🥰☝️

[Ben Howard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Language is a cute and short novella with an office romance between a grumpy and a sunshine. I would have liked it to be a little bit longer but I still had a fun time.

[Drache.... (Angelika) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 stars.
Loved the first 70 % of guessing and hoping.
Once both MCs were on the same page and immediately jumped in bed (half an hour after they both admitted their feelings), I admit I was a bit disappointed.
Overall sweet, light and funny, the first 70% anyway, afterwards there's sex and mushy feelings.

[Drusilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-used breakfast break on my part, I would say. That was fun.
The banter was wonderful. A bit ridiculous that Ash was so blind for so long. But what the heck, I was really entertained by this short story.

“Can you sign something to me now?” I ask.
Dominic tilts his head. “Last time I checked, I’m not a performing seal.”
“Pity, you’d look good balancing a ball on your nose.”
He snorts, which may sound derisive to some, but I know really hides his amusement. 😂😂😂

“I had no idea your mouth could be so sweet,” I say.
“I had no idea you could stop talking for so long,” he replies.
“You should have tried this technique to shut me up years ago,” I say as I stretch on tiptoes to kiss him again. 🥰🥰🥰

[Meags · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars

Super cute M/M short, following sunshiney Ashton, who realises—with friendly nudges from those around him—that he’s probably (most definitely) in love with his grumpy office mate, Dominic.

These two have spent years sharing electric chemistry and charged banter, all under the guise of disliking one another, when we all know that it’s completely normal to tease and tempt the one we want the most.

Their chemistry was delightful and I enjoyed all the witty and fun-loving exchanges they shared—even when they were being snarky, you could feel the fondness and sense the humorous tone with which everything was meant.

I especially loved the small demonstrations of care and consideration Ashton and Dominic showed one another, through thoughtful, sometimes anonymous actions, often riddled with deeper hidden meanings and emotional longing.

Seriously, the secret pining between these two was ridiculously delicious. 🥰

The sign language element just added extra full to my romantic fire, adoring the way this form of communication played a part in their relationship evolution.

This may have been a short story, but it made me smile with how sweet and damn romantic everything was between them.

Definitely worth the read. ❤️

[mehta · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5 stars

So far this month I've read a 450 page book, a 500 page book, two 600 page books and an 800 page book. Oh, and I'm in the middle of rereading a 1000 page book right now. So unsurprisingly, I really needed a quick story that was easy to get through. Love Language is a short 63 page office romance story. This should have been the perfect fix, right?

What I liked:

✦ It was short. Only 63 pages!

✦ The sign language rep—though very ham fisted in its depiction—was nice to see.

✦ The epilogue wasn't that bad. It felt like it was written by a different author (in a good way!); the prose felt much more polished.

What I didn’t like:

✦ This was trying so hard to be funny and failing. The classic cringey 'quirky' millennial humour that just... does not do anything. I didn't think a mere 63 page book could make me unintentionally cringe so recurrently.

✦ There were too many awkward lines. "...I stare at Dominic's body and imagine what would happen if those parts touched my parts" I want you to look me in the eyes and try telling me that this doesn't sound like a 13 year old writing fan fiction for the first time.

✦ Cliche and cringe trope of friends betting on someone getting together; adults don't talk like this, the dialogue made me feel like I was transported back to high school.

✦ The writing was really bad in my opinion. It was unnaturally stilted.

✦ The characters didn't have much romantic chemistry. It felt like the author was trying to reach cliche romantic beats in the story to show how much they 'love' each other, but it all felt tangential and contrived.

I think people who would love a short, easy romance story to get through should try this, because obviously just because I disliked this doesn't mean everyone else will. In my personal experience though, I was baffled at how poorly executed such a short story could be.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

No sure how the author managed to make a 50 page book so good, but I really loved this. Reading it made me so happy, it was so cute and sweet and funny.

[Vanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars!! Cute workplace romance!! ❤️❤️ A little rushed intimacy and unnecessary epilogue but still enjoyable!! Great for an afternoon quick read

[Papie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was short and cute. A little cheesy and OTT on the banter, but fun nonetheless.

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insults and snark are the best love languages. Laughed all the way through this!

[Lily Loves 📚 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was adorable! A cute novella that is perfect if you may need something after a very angsty book or if you’re in a slump. They were so sweet and I can’t believe they waited so long to admit their feelings!

[Dani (Daniiireads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

- coworkers
- grumpy x sunshine

Ash has spent the last three and half years sharing an office with his very grumpy coworker Dominic, and until it's pointed out to him by his coworkers and friends, does not realize that he's kind of obsessed with Dom. Now that he's been made aware of his crush, Ash sees their snarky banter and shared friendly insults as something more, and finally starts piecing together that Dominic might feel the same.

This was absolutely precious!! Sweet little oblivious Ash not picking up on his grumpy coworker doing nice things for him because he likes him was just too much for me, and I died a little. They were just so cute *squeals*

[Tony · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book to get a feel for the authors works and u must admit I wasn’t disappointed well I wish it was longer that’s it. I loved the quick wit humour between the ash and Dominic and risk vs reward was definitely worth it. I’ll be checking out more of Jax’s works soon.

[Liya · Rating 5 out of 5]

~4.5
Lovely well-paced short story. Loved everything about it: both MCs, grumpy-sunshine slow burn office romance, banter, chemistry, and all the feels.
Perfect epilogue to round everything up. I wouldn't mind a full-length novel about those two, but I'm grateful for what we've got.
I had an amazing reading January, but February was just one big disappointment. This one is not perfect or unique, but it made me happy, so rounding up

[Achim · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5
I was looking for something light and fluffy without drama, easy banter and a bit of snark would have been a plus and it should be a short one to calm down after coming out of a long fantasy read. So Love Language was exactly what I was looking for ... what is there more to say.

[Megan Gustafson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute! Prob like a 3.75 ⭐️ but I’m honestly never sure how to rate a short story because any of my issues are related to the fact it’s a short story. 🙃

[Agla · Rating 3 out of 5]

This didn't work for me at all, 2.5 rounded up. Basically both MCs already love (at least like) each other before the start of the book but both are oblivious. How do they figure it out (that they are more than friends)? Other people tell them that it's obvious. That's a pet peeve of mine. Yes they were cute but the banter didn't work for me at all. Neither character felt really fleshed out. I feel like the grinch for not liking it but there we are...

[Jane aka Coughy019 (Safety info included) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tropes: workplace romance, grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity
Feels: 3/5
Steam*: 1.5/5
Kinks: n/a
Angst: low
HEA: yes
Pairing: MM
Triggers/potential icks/content warnings: none

This Novella was about Ash and Dominic. They've been working together for three and a half years and share an office. Dominic is a grump, Ash is the sunshine in this relationship. They bicker, banter, and insult each other all the time, that's their dynamic. But they're both secretly attracted to each other. When Ash finds out that Dominic knows sign language, Dominic signs something at him mysteriously. And Ash eventually figures out that it was something about wanting him. And that makes Ash aware of his feelings and have to contemplate making a move, whether it would be worth the risk to their working relationship. Spoiler, it is. LOL

I have to say first of all, I have a complex relationship with novellas. I generally don't like them because they're just not long enough to tell a decent story most of the time. I can't compare a novella to a regular full size book in a fair way. So when I'm judging novellas, I always judge them according to lower standards, what I call novella standards.

So with that in mind I would say this is a 3.5 star read for a novella. It was cute but kind of syrupy. Unrealistic and kind of kitschy with the repeated sign language references. But I did like the grumpy/sunshine element and their banter.

Some notable moments:

"How did I not realize Dominic was tense about giving his presentation? The signs are all there. The tightness in his jaw. The small crease in his brow. The way his eyes keep darting around the gathered crowd. I lower my voice. “What do you need? Do you want me to grab you a cup of coffee? A glass of water? Vial of the tears of twenty unicorns?” His lips quirk up slightly. “While I’m interested to see your unicorn procurement skills, a glass of water would be great.”"

"My ears roar in the stretched-out silence before he finally speaks. “Are you seriously asking me to marry you while wearing Spandex?” The vice around my chest loosens. “We kissed for the first time when you were wearing your Where’s Waldo hat. I figure we don’t have much of a standard to live up to.”"


*FYI about steam: I rate steam based on a combination of quality & quantity. I note kink separate from steam because I don't want to underrate steamy reads that don't have much kink.

**Note about spoilers: I like to comment on the plot of a book in reviews, so I almost always mark my reviews as containing spoilers. But I try to avoid spoiling the big dramatic moments! As a reader, I personally like to know what I'm getting into before I read a book so I know more about the content and if it's to my taste/mood, so I try to give that information in my reviews for myself when I'm considering rereading and also for other readers.

[Jen (Fae_Princess_in_Space) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always think that novellas can be so hit-or-miss because the writer is trying to do so much in such a short space, but this was 64 pages of pure unbridled joy. I love Jax Calder’s writing and this featured all of the happiness and hilarity that the author’s other stories also brought!

Sunshiny marketing assistant Ash has been trapped in an office with snarky, sarcastic IT genius Dominic for 3 years - not literally of course, but they spend every working moment together, filled with banter and teasing. After a work party where Ash learns more about Dominic (including that he is fluent in sign language), he realises that he has slowly been falling for his standoffish coworker… who it turns out, may be falling for him in return.

When they are sent to do a company presentation to some clients, Ash realises that he needs to take the leap and let Dominic know how he feels… after all, it’s all about the risk vs reward. This was just adorable and you should absolutely read for:

✨ Coworkers to lovers
✨ Grumpy vs sunshine
✨ Communicating in sign language
✨ ‘I’d do anything for you’
✨ So much witty banter and snark
✨ All around good feels 💕

Thank you to Gay Romance Reviews for an eARC of this book. All opinions are my own!

[Evelyn220 · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️ Cute, short little novella with lots of banter and a sweet ending. I’ll read anything this author writes. No matter how long or short, she always manages to draw me in and become invested in the characters.

[Zainab · Rating 4 out of 5]

who gave this cutie patootie shortie book the right to be this funny? i was laughing out loud at their banter and bickering, Ash and Dominic were cute af but also oblivious idiots in love with each other and i adored it sm

[Andi]

DNF. Stopped at page 36. I just can't get into it. Might try again one day. It's probably my mood ..lol.

[⋆｡°✮ Lucy InTheSky ✮°｡⋆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75⭐, but I'll round it down, because I read this as a draft - it could've been a bit more developed and we'd get a fantastic office romance out of it.

I did like it, it's a a short, funny and romantic office romance with two guys working together in an office for more than three years, finally getting over themselves and giving it a go.

Well, it was more like one character realizing the other actually liked him, it did take him 3+ years to figure it out, so

"It’s not weird to admire someone’s keyboard skills, is it? It could just be professional envy."

🔵 Office romance
🟣 Both gay? Isn't specified
🟢 Both in their 20's
🟠 Grumpy/sunshine
🟡 Funny banter
🌶️ Kissing, one penetrative sex scene, good; t/b

Dominic is the company's IT genius, he's a bit grumpy, snarky, he works in an office with Ash, the marketing assistant.
Dominic should've had an office with a view on another floor, but he's staying with Ash, because he's apparently been in love with him for years. When was he going to say it? It's been more than 3 years already!

They have funny banter, they get along, actually Ash is the only one that really can get along with Dominic, the rest of the co-workers are pretty much afraid of him, so it's almost funny how Ash doesn't get that Dominic likes him, that all of that banter could maybe mean something more.

Sign language is included in the story and it's the one thing that gives Dominic's feelings away.

“It’s horrible, right? Is it about a troll?” I say.
“Uh, no. It’s not about a troll.”
“What did he sign then?”
“He signed, ‘Sometimes when I’m around you, I can’t breathe because I want you so much.’”

I liked both main characters and even though the story is light, it does have a bit of that serious emotional undertone.

We get Dominic's POV in the epilogue and their life together just looks amazing, so this is one of those stories where you'd like much more than what you're getting.

"His hands sweep over my ass, and my breath hitches. I arch into his touch.
“Do you want…?”
“More than I want a roast beef and peach salsa sandwich,” I gasp.
“That’s some pretty high expectations you’re putting on me.”"

Reminded me of the The Office a little bit.
I liked the setting, the other side characters had minuscule roles, but I Iiked them and this would've made for a very good series of office romances with a funny twist.

I'd love to read more about Ash and Dominic too.

[Verdelite · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute and fun set-up!

The sign language thing was cute but the banter got tiring very fast (although it wasn't too bad, since it's just novella length).

Also, due to it being a novella, the imo most interesting part of the relationship development was skipped for the opposites-attract trope (initial impressions and getting to know each other).

[Amy Aislin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute!