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The Guy in the Alley
MM Romance • Standalone • Hurt/Comfort • Age Gap • Blue-Collar Romance • Found Family
Get comfortable for a love story that promises Chicago grit, sizzling heat, a playful rivalry between a White Sox diehard and a Cubs fan, and an autistic boy’s dream to see the ocean.
There was nothing like starting the new year with a snowstorm and trying to keep a sinking ship afloat in the middle of Chicago. Trace Kalecki had grown up at the Dearborn Clover, an Irish sports bar that’d been in his family since the late 1800s. He loved the place. He lived and breathed the Clover, from its staff and the sports memorabilia on the walls to the creatively named items on the menu and the soup kitchen they hosted twice a week. But the business was a damn headache too.
One night, when he was wrestling garbage bags out to the dumpsters in the alley, he heard a broken plea for help.
Ben O’Cleary was mostly hoping the snowstorm was going to finish him off once and for all. He was cold, hungry, drowning in defeat, and now wounded, too. Wasn’t it just great? Almost fifty years old, and he couldn’t take care of himself, much less his son and his old ma. Ashamed and shattered, he asked a young man for help, and…maybe that was the start of something new?
That guy, Trace…? He had an offer for Ben.
-------------
The Guy in the Alley is a stand-alone spinoff following The Guy in the Window. While the main characters from the first book do cross over briefly, it’s not necessary to read it to get the full enjoyment of The Guy in the Alley.
No fans of the White Sox, Cubs, Red Wings, Dallas Stars, Preds, Cleveland, Canucks, Minnesota, St. Louis, or Green Bay were seriously injured in the making of this book. Probably no Yoopers either.
Get comfortable for a love story that promises Chicago grit, sizzling heat, a playful rivalry between a White Sox diehard and a Cubs fan, and an autistic boy’s dream to see the ocean.
There was nothing like starting the new year with a snowstorm and trying to keep a sinking ship afloat in the middle of Chicago. Trace Kalecki had grown up at the Dearborn Clover, an Irish sports bar that’d been in his family since the late 1800s. He loved the place. He lived and breathed the Clover, from its staff and the sports memorabilia on the walls to the creatively named items on the menu and the soup kitchen they hosted twice a week. But the business was a damn headache too.
One night, when he was wrestling garbage bags out to the dumpsters in the alley, he heard a broken plea for help.
Ben O’Cleary was mostly hoping the snowstorm was going to finish him off once and for all. He was cold, hungry, drowning in defeat, and now wounded, too. Wasn’t it just great? Almost fifty years old, and he couldn’t take care of himself, much less his son and his old ma. Ashamed and shattered, he asked a young man for help, and…maybe that was the start of something new?
That guy, Trace…? He had an offer for Ben.
-------------
The Guy in the Alley is a stand-alone spinoff following The Guy in the Window. While the main characters from the first book do cross over briefly, it’s not necessary to read it to get the full enjoyment of The Guy in the Alley.
No fans of the White Sox, Cubs, Red Wings, Dallas Stars, Preds, Cleveland, Canucks, Minnesota, St. Louis, or Green Bay were seriously injured in the making of this book. Probably no Yoopers either.
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 22, 2024
73 people are currently reading
622 people want to read
About the author
Cara Dee
99 books4,123 followers
I'm often stoically silent or, if the topic interests me, a chronic rambler. In other words, I can discuss writing forever and ever. Fiction, in particular. The love story—while a huge draw and constantly present—is secondary for me, because there's so much more to writing romance fiction than just making two (or more) people fall in love and have hot sex. There's a world to build, characters to develop, interests to create, and a topic or two to research thoroughly. Every book is a challenge for me, an opportunity to learn something new, and a puzzle to piece together. I want my characters to come to life, and the only way I know to do that is to give them substance—passions, history, goals, quirks, and strong opinions—and to let them evolve. Additionally, I want my men and women to be relatable. That means allowing room for everyday problems and, for lack of a better word, flaws. My characters will never be perfect.
Wait…this was supposed to be about me, not my writing.
I'm a writey person who loves to write. Always wanderlusting, twitterpating, kinking, and geeking. There's time for hockey and cupcakes, too. But mostly, I just love to write.
I'm often stoically silent or, if the topic interests me, a chronic rambler. In other words, I can discuss writing forever and ever. Fiction, in particular. The love story—while a huge draw and constantly present—is secondary for me, because there's so much more to writing romance fiction than just making two (or more) people fall in love and have hot sex. There's a world to build, characters to develop, interests to create, and a topic or two to research thoroughly. Every book is a challenge for me, an opportunity to learn something new, and a puzzle to piece together. I want my characters to come to life, and the only way I know to do that is to give them substance—passions, history, goals, quirks, and strong opinions—and to let them evolve. Additionally, I want my men and women to be relatable. That means allowing room for everyday problems and, for lack of a better word, flaws. My characters will never be perfect.
Wait…this was supposed to be about me, not my writing.
I'm a writey person who loves to write. Always wanderlusting, twitterpating, kinking, and geeking. There's time for hockey and cupcakes, too. But mostly, I just love to write.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 166 reviews
June 13, 2024
4.75***** stars
Awesome. This was just awesome. No need to say I loved it. Or that I have slight weakness for romances involving homeless/houseless people.
Trace’s and Ben’s love story has my heart. ♡
Only complaint, same with The Guy in the Window, the end of the story with their HEA was way too short. I wanted more. Way more.
**************
loosely connected…
The Guy in the Window - 4.5 stars
The Guy in the Alley - 4.75 stars
Awesome. This was just awesome. No need to say I loved it. Or that I have slight weakness for romances involving homeless/houseless people.
Trace’s and Ben’s love story has my heart. ♡
It didn’t matter what Trace did; everything about him reeled me in. He was talking about his worry of waking up and seeing me gone, but at this point, I wasn’t sure I physically could.
Only complaint, same with The Guy in the Window, the end of the story with their HEA was way too short. I wanted more. Way more.
**************
loosely connected…
The Guy in the Window - 4.5 stars
The Guy in the Alley - 4.75 stars
June 15, 2024
~3.5~
What I like most about Cara's stories is that her characters feel like real people. They are not millionaires with fancy jobs and suits. They are mechanics, construction workers, and servers. They are relatable.
Trace is working his ass off to keep the family pub afloat while helping those in need. He runs a soup kitchen out of his restaurant twice a week and makes kits for the houseless population.
Eric, a contractor, has been down on his luck for years after his business parter got himself thrown in jail on embezzlement chargers. He has an elderly mom and a special needs son depending on him.
Trace finds Eric in the alley behind his pub. Eric's been robbed (the assholes take his car, which doubled as his shelter) and hurt. Trace desperately wants to help, but Eric is too damn proud to accept anything for free.
I found Eric's back and forth frustrating. I understood his doubts, but he put poor Trace through the wringer.
The men's voices felt authentic. The story was told from a dual POV, but I wasn't a fan of the italicized sections - they read like stream of consciousness, which I found jarring.
Also, there were so many (TOO many) secondary characters. I remember Adam and Ev, but everyone else, including Trace's colleagues and both their families with cousins and what not, made the story feel cramped. Did I need to know that one of Trace's coworker's wife was pregnant? No, I did not.
Trace's young nephew Chip was overly present in the story. I didn't need to see him running a race or eating beef sandwiches or doing what the fuck ever. It all read like filler, and I started getting bored.
I liked Eric's son, Alvin, more; his presence didn't irk me like Chip's.
All in all, this is a gentle romance with plenty of heat and a lovely HEA, heavy on family and financial troubles, low on relationship drama.
What I like most about Cara's stories is that her characters feel like real people. They are not millionaires with fancy jobs and suits. They are mechanics, construction workers, and servers. They are relatable.
Trace is working his ass off to keep the family pub afloat while helping those in need. He runs a soup kitchen out of his restaurant twice a week and makes kits for the houseless population.
Eric, a contractor, has been down on his luck for years after his business parter got himself thrown in jail on embezzlement chargers. He has an elderly mom and a special needs son depending on him.
Trace finds Eric in the alley behind his pub. Eric's been robbed (the assholes take his car, which doubled as his shelter) and hurt. Trace desperately wants to help, but Eric is too damn proud to accept anything for free.
I found Eric's back and forth frustrating. I understood his doubts, but he put poor Trace through the wringer.
The men's voices felt authentic. The story was told from a dual POV, but I wasn't a fan of the italicized sections - they read like stream of consciousness, which I found jarring.
Also, there were so many (TOO many) secondary characters. I remember Adam and Ev, but everyone else, including Trace's colleagues and both their families with cousins and what not, made the story feel cramped. Did I need to know that one of Trace's coworker's wife was pregnant? No, I did not.
Trace's young nephew Chip was overly present in the story. I didn't need to see him running a race or eating beef sandwiches or doing what the fuck ever. It all read like filler, and I started getting bored.
I liked Eric's son, Alvin, more; his presence didn't irk me like Chip's.
All in all, this is a gentle romance with plenty of heat and a lovely HEA, heavy on family and financial troubles, low on relationship drama.
September 18, 2024
Happiness that breaks out of the darkness.
Oh my, what a great story. And I'm a cry baby again.
I wouldn't say that the book is perfect. At the beginning it was a bit too much info-dumping for me, too many things about the bar that seemed strangely annoying. On the other hand, it also helps you to get to know Trace quite well, which is perhaps a good way to really get to grips with the character.
For me, the sports stuff isn't so perfect either, unfortunately I don't understand anything about it, but that's not a bad thing. The atmosphere that is created here is nevertheless tangible.
I would have liked a bit more from Ben's perspective, also more scenes with his son, but well, you don't have to overdo it. There is certainly enough material in this story to make the book twice as long.
Anyway, we need more of the Trace kind in real life ...
All in all, I wouldn't have thought that there was so much happiness in this story. Yes, there are quite a lot of dark moments, but they're balanced out pretty well by the overall atmosphere of hope. But not in a superficial way either.
It's hard to explain, I had quite a few tears rolling down my face, but at the same time a grin on my face. The epilogue almost killed me, but the book made me incredibly happy.
Oh, I almost forgot. There aren't a lot of sex scenes, but the bits that there are, my goodness, hot so so hot, they practically steamrolled me.
“Safe from an STI perspective, absolutely. But we’ll see if I’ll let you come up for air.”
I felt my eyes widen as I exposed my neck for him. Mother of dirty talk, let’s do this. He was clearly game.
“I hope that wasn’t too much.”
“Fuck no,” I managed to blurt out. ’Cause, God no. “You speak my language. I’m ready. I have rubbers and a tight ass just for you. No warm-up necessary.”
He hummed and slid a hand up my throat, and he just held me loosely, like a gentle reminder. There was a beast buried within him, wasn’t there?
“And a throat?”
I swallowed. “And a throat.”
He whispered a curse and caught my lips with his again, not holding back anymore. 🤤🌶️🤤
Oh my, what a great story. And I'm a cry baby again.
I wouldn't say that the book is perfect. At the beginning it was a bit too much info-dumping for me, too many things about the bar that seemed strangely annoying. On the other hand, it also helps you to get to know Trace quite well, which is perhaps a good way to really get to grips with the character.
For me, the sports stuff isn't so perfect either, unfortunately I don't understand anything about it, but that's not a bad thing. The atmosphere that is created here is nevertheless tangible.
I would have liked a bit more from Ben's perspective, also more scenes with his son, but well, you don't have to overdo it. There is certainly enough material in this story to make the book twice as long.
Anyway, we need more of the Trace kind in real life ...
All in all, I wouldn't have thought that there was so much happiness in this story. Yes, there are quite a lot of dark moments, but they're balanced out pretty well by the overall atmosphere of hope. But not in a superficial way either.
It's hard to explain, I had quite a few tears rolling down my face, but at the same time a grin on my face. The epilogue almost killed me, but the book made me incredibly happy.
Oh, I almost forgot. There aren't a lot of sex scenes, but the bits that there are, my goodness, hot so so hot, they practically steamrolled me.
“Safe from an STI perspective, absolutely. But we’ll see if I’ll let you come up for air.”
I felt my eyes widen as I exposed my neck for him. Mother of dirty talk, let’s do this. He was clearly game.
“I hope that wasn’t too much.”
“Fuck no,” I managed to blurt out. ’Cause, God no. “You speak my language. I’m ready. I have rubbers and a tight ass just for you. No warm-up necessary.”
He hummed and slid a hand up my throat, and he just held me loosely, like a gentle reminder. There was a beast buried within him, wasn’t there?
“And a throat?”
I swallowed. “And a throat.”
He whispered a curse and caught my lips with his again, not holding back anymore. 🤤🌶️🤤
May 20, 2024
Well I absolutely loved this book big time!
I wasn't sure what kind of a story Cara was going to give the reader, but it turns out that it's a surprisingly swoony romance with plenty of feels and a teeny bit of angst that - when things turn out all right in the end - will have you sighing a big one of pure happiness!
The two men at the heart of this relationship are, on the surface, radically different, but when it comes down to it, both of them are looking for someone they can love unconditionally and provide endless support to.
I loved Ben's family, his struggles felt completely believable and demonstrated perfectly how easy it is to fall into poverty and hard times through no fault of your own.
Trace is one of life's good guys who has a strong sense of responsibility that sometimes drags him down when it comes to the bar his family has run since the 1800s. But, he's also socially responsible too, helping out as much as he can for those with even less.
When their worlds collide, it rocks everything each has ever though about what their futures might look like.
Loved it!
#ARC kindly received from the author. I am voluntarily leaving a review
I wasn't sure what kind of a story Cara was going to give the reader, but it turns out that it's a surprisingly swoony romance with plenty of feels and a teeny bit of angst that - when things turn out all right in the end - will have you sighing a big one of pure happiness!
The two men at the heart of this relationship are, on the surface, radically different, but when it comes down to it, both of them are looking for someone they can love unconditionally and provide endless support to.
I loved Ben's family, his struggles felt completely believable and demonstrated perfectly how easy it is to fall into poverty and hard times through no fault of your own.
Trace is one of life's good guys who has a strong sense of responsibility that sometimes drags him down when it comes to the bar his family has run since the 1800s. But, he's also socially responsible too, helping out as much as he can for those with even less.
When their worlds collide, it rocks everything each has ever though about what their futures might look like.
Loved it!
#ARC kindly received from the author. I am voluntarily leaving a review
November 13, 2025
⭐ 4 stars — The Guy in the Alley by Cara Dee
A younger bar owner finds an injured, down-on-his-luck older man in the alley behind his pub during a snowstorm. What starts as an act of compassion slowly becomes a healing, found-family romance set against Chicago grit, financial struggle, and an autistic boy’s dream to see the ocean.
I liked this — didn’t love it — but it definitely hit the right emotional beats. It has that familiar Cara Dee vibe: found family, real-life struggles, quiet warmth, and characters who are trying their best in a world that keeps knocking them down.
That said, a few things didn’t fully work for me. The story isn’t “all about sex”, but for me the sexual tension and sexual framing felt a little too dominant in some moments. Especially with Trace — so much of his banter and energy seemed to orbit around sex, and it occasionally pulled me out of the emotional core, and the possibilies were endless with this plot!
I also struggled a bit with the timeline. I wasn’t sure if this was meant to be insta-love or if I just lost track of how much time had passed, but the emotional progression felt compressed in places.
What I genuinely loved:
*The soup kitchen — the heart of the book
*Trace’s whole chaotic, hilarious, soft-hearted personality
*Ben’s sacrifice and everything he’s willing to risk for his son
*Alvin’s happiness (and the way his dream to see the ocean shapes the story)
*The entire bar family and their unshakeable loyalty
*How almost every character, despite flaws, is actively trying to be good in a difficult world
The atmosphere is strong, too: Chicago grit, snowstorms, alleyway rescues, the old Irish bar that’s been in Trace’s family since the late 1800s. It gives the story texture and weight.
There’s also this cute author note at the start:
“No fans of the White Sox, Cubs, Red Wings, Dallas Stars, Preds, Canucks, Cleveland, Minnesota, St. Louis, or Green Bay were seriously injured in the making of this book. Probably no Yoopers either.”
Adorable and made some funny moments— but I’ll be honest: sometimes the constant team references felt a lot. As someone who isn’t deep into US sports, it got distracting and made me feel like I was outside a private joke. I can handle sports on-page when it’s from a player/coach POV, but fan banter? It can get exhausting fast.
PS: The mental image of Trace extreme-couponing to buy groceries for the soup kitchen absolutely melted my heart. The world needs more Trace Kaleckis. 🫶
A younger bar owner finds an injured, down-on-his-luck older man in the alley behind his pub during a snowstorm. What starts as an act of compassion slowly becomes a healing, found-family romance set against Chicago grit, financial struggle, and an autistic boy’s dream to see the ocean.
I liked this — didn’t love it — but it definitely hit the right emotional beats. It has that familiar Cara Dee vibe: found family, real-life struggles, quiet warmth, and characters who are trying their best in a world that keeps knocking them down.
That said, a few things didn’t fully work for me. The story isn’t “all about sex”, but for me the sexual tension and sexual framing felt a little too dominant in some moments. Especially with Trace — so much of his banter and energy seemed to orbit around sex, and it occasionally pulled me out of the emotional core, and the possibilies were endless with this plot!
I also struggled a bit with the timeline. I wasn’t sure if this was meant to be insta-love or if I just lost track of how much time had passed, but the emotional progression felt compressed in places.
What I genuinely loved:
*The soup kitchen — the heart of the book
*Trace’s whole chaotic, hilarious, soft-hearted personality
*Ben’s sacrifice and everything he’s willing to risk for his son
*Alvin’s happiness (and the way his dream to see the ocean shapes the story)
*The entire bar family and their unshakeable loyalty
*How almost every character, despite flaws, is actively trying to be good in a difficult world
The atmosphere is strong, too: Chicago grit, snowstorms, alleyway rescues, the old Irish bar that’s been in Trace’s family since the late 1800s. It gives the story texture and weight.
There’s also this cute author note at the start:
“No fans of the White Sox, Cubs, Red Wings, Dallas Stars, Preds, Canucks, Cleveland, Minnesota, St. Louis, or Green Bay were seriously injured in the making of this book. Probably no Yoopers either.”
Adorable and made some funny moments— but I’ll be honest: sometimes the constant team references felt a lot. As someone who isn’t deep into US sports, it got distracting and made me feel like I was outside a private joke. I can handle sports on-page when it’s from a player/coach POV, but fan banter? It can get exhausting fast.
PS: The mental image of Trace extreme-couponing to buy groceries for the soup kitchen absolutely melted my heart. The world needs more Trace Kaleckis. 🫶
September 16, 2024
Loved this one . It’s closer to Cara Dee’s earlier style. Maybe a bit more angst would have made it even better (and a little less insta-intensity) but it was pretty good.
May 31, 2024
This was a disappointment sadly. Maybe my expectations and excitement seeing a new Cara Dee outside the Games series were just too much?
Let me start by saying I loved Trace and Ben. And I loved the first part of their story.
But
After that, things were all over the place.
The secondary characters coming and going, and none of them really developing fully.
Eric? Why? His story came out of nowhere and disappears immediately. So why bring it up at all?
Ben’s actions in bed didn’t fit. He hasn’t had sex in years, was with a woman forever, but he dives in eating ass like he’s been doing it every day? Yes it was hot. But. (I apologize for the direct visual but it’s a Cara Dee book)
And then nothing happens. I skimmed through the last 20%. I was almost hoping for a breakup or misunderstanding or something.
Let me start by saying I loved Trace and Ben. And I loved the first part of their story.
But
After that, things were all over the place.
The secondary characters coming and going, and none of them really developing fully.
Eric? Why? His story came out of nowhere and disappears immediately. So why bring it up at all?
Ben’s actions in bed didn’t fit. He hasn’t had sex in years, was with a woman forever, but he dives in eating ass like he’s been doing it every day? Yes it was hot. But. (I apologize for the direct visual but it’s a Cara Dee book)
And then nothing happens. I skimmed through the last 20%. I was almost hoping for a breakup or misunderstanding or something.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 1, 2024
* 4 stars *
The Guy in the Alley is set in the same world as The Guy in the Window but it can also work as a standalone. Trace was a side character in the previous book, having some page time but nothing major. This time he's getting a story of his own.
One thing that most of Cara Dee's books have in common and one of the things I like about her work is the family aspect, and this was no different. The characters have friends and families, a social circle that is present without suffocating the plot.
Trace is managing his parents' sports bar and living in the apartment above it. His life revolves around his job and helping the struggling members of society as much as he can. When he finds an injured homeless guy in the alley behind the bar he takes him home to care for his wound and give him a place to rest for the night.
Ben hasn't had the best of luck the past few years. One thing after another landed him on the streets, struggling to make enough money to provide for his son who's living with Ben's mother. I won't get into too much detail about his situation, just that he was a person just needing a bit of a break in order to get his life going again. He was responsible and proud, reluctant to accept help if he couldn't give something back. He had people in his life that offered to let him stay with them but he didn't want to impose on anyone and was determined to make it on his own.
The two of them developed a friendship and, despite their obvious attraction, stayed firmly behind that line for months (with one exception).
I admired both of them for different reasons. Ben for his strength despite everything life threw at him and Trace for his selflessness and desire to help others.
I think that the story dragged a bit toward the end but we got a solid HEA so I can't complain about it too much.
~ Copy provided by Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure. A review wasn't a requirement. ~
The Guy in the Alley is set in the same world as The Guy in the Window but it can also work as a standalone. Trace was a side character in the previous book, having some page time but nothing major. This time he's getting a story of his own.
One thing that most of Cara Dee's books have in common and one of the things I like about her work is the family aspect, and this was no different. The characters have friends and families, a social circle that is present without suffocating the plot.
Trace is managing his parents' sports bar and living in the apartment above it. His life revolves around his job and helping the struggling members of society as much as he can. When he finds an injured homeless guy in the alley behind the bar he takes him home to care for his wound and give him a place to rest for the night.
Ben hasn't had the best of luck the past few years. One thing after another landed him on the streets, struggling to make enough money to provide for his son who's living with Ben's mother. I won't get into too much detail about his situation, just that he was a person just needing a bit of a break in order to get his life going again. He was responsible and proud, reluctant to accept help if he couldn't give something back. He had people in his life that offered to let him stay with them but he didn't want to impose on anyone and was determined to make it on his own.
The two of them developed a friendship and, despite their obvious attraction, stayed firmly behind that line for months (with one exception).
I admired both of them for different reasons. Ben for his strength despite everything life threw at him and Trace for his selflessness and desire to help others.
I think that the story dragged a bit toward the end but we got a solid HEA so I can't complain about it too much.
~ Copy provided by Bayou Book Junkie for my reading pleasure. A review wasn't a requirement. ~
June 5, 2024
Cara, Cara, Cara. Can I call you Cara? Or do you prefer Miss D? Regardless, I’m thrilled to make your acquaintance. We don’t know each other, but that’s about to change. I’ve seen you on my feed and even clicked a few want-to-read buttons. But this was our first time. And I gotta tell you, I don’t do fresh meet and greets much anymore. It’s not that I don’t want to. I’m juggling too much in real life and my book time has taken a hit. So, I’ve had to become choosy. I’m happy to say, I’m making room for you on my gotta have ‘em list. This story was gritty, raw, and real. As well as, spicy and delicious. There were no limits, Trace and Ben delivered and delivered again. I loved it. I loved them. And I can’t wait to swan dive into our next adventure. But before I get too far ahead of myself, I gotta gush here.
Sometimes a cover makes you pause. Sometimes it makes you smile. And sometimes, it has you zooming in. The Guy in the Alley had me doing all three. ‘Oh. That’s nice. Mmm, and look at that profile. Wait, what’s that on the alley wall? Please help me. Oh. Oh no.’ That’s it. I had to know. Who needed help? And why? Will they get it? *spoiler-non-spoiler* Yes, he does. It turns out Ben is an incredible guy down on his luck. Really down. As in, bouncing off rock bottom. Attacked, robbed, and beaten, Ben finds himself hanging by a thread in an alley in Chicago. But not just any alley. It’s the alley behind The Clover. And Trace, the fledgling new owner has a heart the size of Texas. Plenty of room for a sexy silver fox fighting tough break after tough break. He’s certain Ben is the guy for him and he can be patient. Very patient if need be.
If there’s a way to combine insta-love with slow-burn, Dee nailed it. I never doubted for a second that they were destined for one another. But I was content to wait. Just as Trace waited. Well, I might’ve been slightly more patient than one of my new favorite guys. Yep, Trace stole my heart. But then, so did Ben. I love it when both main characters win your affection. I can’t pick a favorite because I adore both. And the secondary cast roars in with a vengeance. I’m on the other side of Lake Michigan and I would love nothing more than a road trip to this sports bar with a pulse. Because the Clover is more than a fourth-generation bar with fabulous food, never-ending drinks, and smiles. It’s a safe haven. It’s a home. It’s a cornerstone in the community for those needing a helping hand. They have you covered whether it’s a warm meal, a hygiene kit, or a reminder that you’re worthy. I know real-life places like this exist and this story makes me want to find one.
Neither Trace nor Ben are looking for love. But Cara’s arrow strikes them anyway. After Ben has recovered from his assault, they share an explosive night. They fit in every way. But Ben isn’t ready. He needs to secure a few critical things first. Top of the list is his son’s care. Alvin’s needs aren’t extensive but crucial to his balance. Fortunately, Ben’s mom can fill the everyday stability that Ben can’t…right now. But it’s his dream to take care of his loved ones. Which might include Trace if he can figure out how.
I could ramble and babble about them for ages. I can tell you how fabulous they are together. They might wear different colored baseball jerseys when watching a big game, but the smack talk is all in good fun. I could carry on about their compatibility in the bedroom. *is it hot in here?* They get downright dirty in all the best ways. I could share how amazing they are with their families. Trace has the best nephew, an awesome sister, and great parents. Ben doesn’t have much in the way of material things, but he has an awesome son and a wonderful mom. I loved everything about The Cover, but the best part is that it brought Ben and Trace together. They had a cautious beginning but I am certain about their ending. Gahhh, the epilogue is exactly what I needed. SO GOOD!!
Beware of: A chain reaction of misfortune does not determine one’s worth. A home isn’t four walls with a roof…it’s a place where love, hope, and dreams live. And patience is key with these two…but absolutely positively worth it.
This book is for: If hurt/comfort stories are your thing, this alley encounter will fill all your empty spaces. Sorry, gotta run…a guy in the window is calling my name.
Sometimes a cover makes you pause. Sometimes it makes you smile. And sometimes, it has you zooming in. The Guy in the Alley had me doing all three. ‘Oh. That’s nice. Mmm, and look at that profile. Wait, what’s that on the alley wall? Please help me. Oh. Oh no.’ That’s it. I had to know. Who needed help? And why? Will they get it? *spoiler-non-spoiler* Yes, he does. It turns out Ben is an incredible guy down on his luck. Really down. As in, bouncing off rock bottom. Attacked, robbed, and beaten, Ben finds himself hanging by a thread in an alley in Chicago. But not just any alley. It’s the alley behind The Clover. And Trace, the fledgling new owner has a heart the size of Texas. Plenty of room for a sexy silver fox fighting tough break after tough break. He’s certain Ben is the guy for him and he can be patient. Very patient if need be.
If there’s a way to combine insta-love with slow-burn, Dee nailed it. I never doubted for a second that they were destined for one another. But I was content to wait. Just as Trace waited. Well, I might’ve been slightly more patient than one of my new favorite guys. Yep, Trace stole my heart. But then, so did Ben. I love it when both main characters win your affection. I can’t pick a favorite because I adore both. And the secondary cast roars in with a vengeance. I’m on the other side of Lake Michigan and I would love nothing more than a road trip to this sports bar with a pulse. Because the Clover is more than a fourth-generation bar with fabulous food, never-ending drinks, and smiles. It’s a safe haven. It’s a home. It’s a cornerstone in the community for those needing a helping hand. They have you covered whether it’s a warm meal, a hygiene kit, or a reminder that you’re worthy. I know real-life places like this exist and this story makes me want to find one.
Neither Trace nor Ben are looking for love. But Cara’s arrow strikes them anyway. After Ben has recovered from his assault, they share an explosive night. They fit in every way. But Ben isn’t ready. He needs to secure a few critical things first. Top of the list is his son’s care. Alvin’s needs aren’t extensive but crucial to his balance. Fortunately, Ben’s mom can fill the everyday stability that Ben can’t…right now. But it’s his dream to take care of his loved ones. Which might include Trace if he can figure out how.
I could ramble and babble about them for ages. I can tell you how fabulous they are together. They might wear different colored baseball jerseys when watching a big game, but the smack talk is all in good fun. I could carry on about their compatibility in the bedroom. *is it hot in here?* They get downright dirty in all the best ways. I could share how amazing they are with their families. Trace has the best nephew, an awesome sister, and great parents. Ben doesn’t have much in the way of material things, but he has an awesome son and a wonderful mom. I loved everything about The Cover, but the best part is that it brought Ben and Trace together. They had a cautious beginning but I am certain about their ending. Gahhh, the epilogue is exactly what I needed. SO GOOD!!
Beware of: A chain reaction of misfortune does not determine one’s worth. A home isn’t four walls with a roof…it’s a place where love, hope, and dreams live. And patience is key with these two…but absolutely positively worth it.
This book is for: If hurt/comfort stories are your thing, this alley encounter will fill all your empty spaces. Sorry, gotta run…a guy in the window is calling my name.
May 24, 2024
I was looking forward to this story. Everything this author writes is just a treasure to me.
There’s hurt/comfort and a beautiful romance to enjoy.
The author never disappoints, never!
Trace is a bar owner, in the family for generations. One night he found an injured homeless man in the alley. Taken him into his home was just a being-a- nice-human thing.
Ben is attractive, quite older than Trace, and dried up even better after a most-needed shower.
Ben has no job, and no home, and this guy offers him everything he needs. What are the odds, he’s even gay?
Trace is a compassionate man, being good runs through his veins.
The conversations let us know Ben has an amazing eighteen-year-old son who’s on the autism spectrum and Ben’s mom is taking care of him when Ben is not around. Alvin will always need him. Trace is smitten with Ben, but after a hot encounter, he’s in deep trouble, Ben is everything he wants. And Ben? is convinced Trace could do way better than be with a guy like him.
“I’ve grown allergic to the word friend.”
It was a beautiful story, stunningly developed. There’s so much affection, that even the coldest heart would melt. Two kind compassionate guys, so different, not only in age, and both have their baggage. It was more than wonderful to see them grow personally and as a steady couple.
With a little bit of angst, honesty, endearment, romance, wonderful families, and the best lovable and amazingly developed characters, this story covers everything I love.
There’s hurt/comfort and a beautiful romance to enjoy.
The author never disappoints, never!
Trace is a bar owner, in the family for generations. One night he found an injured homeless man in the alley. Taken him into his home was just a being-a- nice-human thing.
Ben is attractive, quite older than Trace, and dried up even better after a most-needed shower.
Ben has no job, and no home, and this guy offers him everything he needs. What are the odds, he’s even gay?
Trace is a compassionate man, being good runs through his veins.
The conversations let us know Ben has an amazing eighteen-year-old son who’s on the autism spectrum and Ben’s mom is taking care of him when Ben is not around. Alvin will always need him. Trace is smitten with Ben, but after a hot encounter, he’s in deep trouble, Ben is everything he wants. And Ben? is convinced Trace could do way better than be with a guy like him.
“I’ve grown allergic to the word friend.”
It was a beautiful story, stunningly developed. There’s so much affection, that even the coldest heart would melt. Two kind compassionate guys, so different, not only in age, and both have their baggage. It was more than wonderful to see them grow personally and as a steady couple.
With a little bit of angst, honesty, endearment, romance, wonderful families, and the best lovable and amazingly developed characters, this story covers everything I love.
May 23, 2024
4.5 stars
I swear no one does it quite like Cara Dee. I read a lot of romance novels and I've never read about another couple quite like this one.
Both of our MC's have some stuff to work through internally but it's clear they care a lot about each other's wellbeing from the beginning. This dynamic felt completely new to me while still hitting my favorite Cara Dee beats.
This was a great follow up to The Guy in the Window and I definitely recommend giving it a try.
I swear no one does it quite like Cara Dee. I read a lot of romance novels and I've never read about another couple quite like this one.
Both of our MC's have some stuff to work through internally but it's clear they care a lot about each other's wellbeing from the beginning. This dynamic felt completely new to me while still hitting my favorite Cara Dee beats.
This was a great follow up to The Guy in the Window and I definitely recommend giving it a try.
June 3, 2024
3.5 Stars
May 16, 2024
With this book, Cara Dee returns to the world of The Guy in the Window. We see some minor crossover character interactions, but the story itself stands alone.
Trace is the owner of the Dearborn Clover, a friendly neighborhood bar that doubles as a soup kitchen at times. His heart is big, if a little bit lonely, and he’s got a great crew working for him. I loved the camaraderie shown. Ben is a down-on-his-luck single father who is barely holding on after job troubles and too much loss. He stumbles into the alley on a cold winter night, finding just what he needs (despite his insistence otherwise).
Cara never hides the hard stuff. She dives in and paints the gritty picture. The downs that come before all the ups. This makes her stories more real, more relatable. With her latest, she makes it ache a little before lifting it back up. Ultimately, it’s still a romance, and it’s got some heat, but there is humor and pain there too. Definitely recommend.
Trace is the owner of the Dearborn Clover, a friendly neighborhood bar that doubles as a soup kitchen at times. His heart is big, if a little bit lonely, and he’s got a great crew working for him. I loved the camaraderie shown. Ben is a down-on-his-luck single father who is barely holding on after job troubles and too much loss. He stumbles into the alley on a cold winter night, finding just what he needs (despite his insistence otherwise).
Cara never hides the hard stuff. She dives in and paints the gritty picture. The downs that come before all the ups. This makes her stories more real, more relatable. With her latest, she makes it ache a little before lifting it back up. Ultimately, it’s still a romance, and it’s got some heat, but there is humor and pain there too. Definitely recommend.
February 24, 2025
Rating: 5
Steam: 2
PoV: dual, 1st person
Genre: contemporary romance, MM
Main tropes: age gap, hurt / comfort, found family
The Guy in the Alley was a beautiful and emotional story, with characters that I totally fell in love with and fantastic hurt / comfort!
I loved the journey that Cara Dee took me on with this story - it was a sweet, tender and slow burn romance, with a lot of banter and affection. The easy connection between Trace and Ben was lovely, and it was very entertaining to read their back and forth and ribbing. I just adored the way they were with each other!
While there was some spice early on in the story, I still considered this to be a slow burn, since it took Ben and Trace quite some time before they got to the same page and started to trust that a relationship between them could work, and last. Ben was stubborn and he had some concerns about their differences and age gap, but Trace was determined and continued to patiently reassure him. I loved how sure Trace was that Ben was it for him, and overall I had a great time reading Trace’s PoV, his personality really came through and he made me laugh quite a few times.
It was difficult and frustrating to see Ben struggle, he was so stubborn about receiving help and didn’t want to be a bother to anyone. It caused a little bit of angst, and I just wanted him to accept Trace’s offers and help. My heart ached a lot for him, and I was rooting hard for him to get his life back on track again. His hesitance and pride. made sense though, and Cara Dee did an excellent job at portraying his struggles in a realistic way.
The Guy in the Alley was a fantastic read that I can’t recommend enough - this is definitely a book that should be added to your TBR if you enjoy emotional hurt / comfort books with memorable characters! The ending was highly emotional and had me in tears, it meant everything for me to see Ben and Trace get their hard won and well deserved happy ending.
-
Thanks to Eliza Rae for the opportunity to read and review this book. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
Steam: 2
PoV: dual, 1st person
Genre: contemporary romance, MM
Main tropes: age gap, hurt / comfort, found family
The Guy in the Alley was a beautiful and emotional story, with characters that I totally fell in love with and fantastic hurt / comfort!
I loved the journey that Cara Dee took me on with this story - it was a sweet, tender and slow burn romance, with a lot of banter and affection. The easy connection between Trace and Ben was lovely, and it was very entertaining to read their back and forth and ribbing. I just adored the way they were with each other!
While there was some spice early on in the story, I still considered this to be a slow burn, since it took Ben and Trace quite some time before they got to the same page and started to trust that a relationship between them could work, and last. Ben was stubborn and he had some concerns about their differences and age gap, but Trace was determined and continued to patiently reassure him. I loved how sure Trace was that Ben was it for him, and overall I had a great time reading Trace’s PoV, his personality really came through and he made me laugh quite a few times.
It was difficult and frustrating to see Ben struggle, he was so stubborn about receiving help and didn’t want to be a bother to anyone. It caused a little bit of angst, and I just wanted him to accept Trace’s offers and help. My heart ached a lot for him, and I was rooting hard for him to get his life back on track again. His hesitance and pride. made sense though, and Cara Dee did an excellent job at portraying his struggles in a realistic way.
The Guy in the Alley was a fantastic read that I can’t recommend enough - this is definitely a book that should be added to your TBR if you enjoy emotional hurt / comfort books with memorable characters! The ending was highly emotional and had me in tears, it meant everything for me to see Ben and Trace get their hard won and well deserved happy ending.
-
Thanks to Eliza Rae for the opportunity to read and review this book. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
June 5, 2024
Pure fantasy. In a perfect world and all that. I didn't buy the homeless hottie premise, or the amazing sex. You know, if they would have stumbled and bumbled around in the bedroom like the rest of us when you have zero experience, I would have bought into it. That's real. Even amusing. It could have been so much more. Here we have the ole porn stars in the bedroom thing going on. Instead of finding it hot, ... 🙄Total fantasyland. The love story read like a Hallmark Christmas movie. Not Lifetime, Hallmark. Once you get past the homeless hurdle, it's all sweetness and light.
The one shining star in this smoochy, moochy, "I just love you so much baby," fantasyland is Alvin. Eighteen years old and autistic. The most real character I've enjoyed reading in a long, long time. Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind. That's Alvin.
*** (These are for Alvin.)
The one shining star in this smoochy, moochy, "I just love you so much baby," fantasyland is Alvin. Eighteen years old and autistic. The most real character I've enjoyed reading in a long, long time. Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind. That's Alvin.
*** (These are for Alvin.)
May 21, 2024
I'll fully admit to being a Cara Dee fan girl and believing she can do no wrong. If she were to publish her grocery list, I'd buy it. No matter the plot, the tropes, the potential kinks, the unlikely pairings..it doesn't matter. Cara writes characters that leap off the pages - they are so real and layered and they could be anyone you'd meet on the street.
In this story, we have Trace and Ben. Trace took over his family's Irish sports bar in Chicago. Ben starts the book as a man whose home (read: his car) was just stolen and he's at the end of his rope. Ben isn't the first homeless character Cara has written; he shares a lot in common with Dominic from Camassia Cove. But the script is flipped with Ben being the older man between him and Trace.
This is definitely a slow burn when it comes to feelings, communication and *believing* life could be this beautiful together, even if it's not a slow burn on the spice. I wouldn't call the book angsty, but Ben does put us on a rollercoaster for quite a while due to his feelings of inadequacy. It's dual POV which is nice because even when they suck at communicating, we as readers get to know what they are feeling in the moment.
If you've read Cara's catalog, this book aligns pretty well with the Camassia Cove series. It's not kinky like the Games Series; besides a little dominance and Trace liking a little pain with his pleasure, the spice is pretty vanilla actually. Which is not a bad thing whatsoever.
Now I'm going to admit that this particular trope - the beaten down, homeless, self loathing character - is not my favorite. I like my books to be escapes, and reading about people suffering through these problems...it just makes me sad. It's the opposite of the escape I'm seeking. I'm okay with reading an exorbitant amount of stories with billionaires because that's as close as I'm getting to extravagance in my life. But I fully get that this is a *me* thing and it's not the book's fault. Just my preference.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. I *always* enjoy a Cara Dee book. Even when tropes don't mesh, or I encounter kinks I don't enjoy, etc, Cara is always able to keep me glued to the page regardless.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
In this story, we have Trace and Ben. Trace took over his family's Irish sports bar in Chicago. Ben starts the book as a man whose home (read: his car) was just stolen and he's at the end of his rope. Ben isn't the first homeless character Cara has written; he shares a lot in common with Dominic from Camassia Cove. But the script is flipped with Ben being the older man between him and Trace.
This is definitely a slow burn when it comes to feelings, communication and *believing* life could be this beautiful together, even if it's not a slow burn on the spice. I wouldn't call the book angsty, but Ben does put us on a rollercoaster for quite a while due to his feelings of inadequacy. It's dual POV which is nice because even when they suck at communicating, we as readers get to know what they are feeling in the moment.
If you've read Cara's catalog, this book aligns pretty well with the Camassia Cove series. It's not kinky like the Games Series; besides a little dominance and Trace liking a little pain with his pleasure, the spice is pretty vanilla actually. Which is not a bad thing whatsoever.
Now I'm going to admit that this particular trope - the beaten down, homeless, self loathing character - is not my favorite. I like my books to be escapes, and reading about people suffering through these problems...it just makes me sad. It's the opposite of the escape I'm seeking. I'm okay with reading an exorbitant amount of stories with billionaires because that's as close as I'm getting to extravagance in my life. But I fully get that this is a *me* thing and it's not the book's fault. Just my preference.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. I *always* enjoy a Cara Dee book. Even when tropes don't mesh, or I encounter kinks I don't enjoy, etc, Cara is always able to keep me glued to the page regardless.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 19, 2024
4.25 stars
”I’m your bright spot?” I tried to keep it light.
The corners of his mouth twisted up. “You’re a bit more than that. You’re my jackass too.”
Very funny.
Then he got serious. “You make me wanna live for myself, not just to be there for my boy.”
I loved this raw combination of gut-wrenching emotion and sweetness. Ben is a widowed, working class man who has been homeless for the last couple years due to a series of misfortunes. He happens to be a devoted dad to Alvin, his autistic son who has developmental problems. Ben is unable to fully provide for Alvin given all the special care he needs so he is forced to leave him with his own mom as he struggles to find work. Ben meets Trace one night when he seeks shelter in the alley behind Trace’s sports bar. An unexpected friendship and attraction develops between the two, one which is complicated by Ben’s feelings of complete worthlessness and Trace’s own baggage from a previous relationship. There are several great side characters aside from Alvin, including Trace’s nephew. As we’ve all come to expect with Cara Dee, the sec scenes are steamy with just the right amount of dirty talk.
”I’m your bright spot?” I tried to keep it light.
The corners of his mouth twisted up. “You’re a bit more than that. You’re my jackass too.”
Very funny.
Then he got serious. “You make me wanna live for myself, not just to be there for my boy.”
I loved this raw combination of gut-wrenching emotion and sweetness. Ben is a widowed, working class man who has been homeless for the last couple years due to a series of misfortunes. He happens to be a devoted dad to Alvin, his autistic son who has developmental problems. Ben is unable to fully provide for Alvin given all the special care he needs so he is forced to leave him with his own mom as he struggles to find work. Ben meets Trace one night when he seeks shelter in the alley behind Trace’s sports bar. An unexpected friendship and attraction develops between the two, one which is complicated by Ben’s feelings of complete worthlessness and Trace’s own baggage from a previous relationship. There are several great side characters aside from Alvin, including Trace’s nephew. As we’ve all come to expect with Cara Dee, the sec scenes are steamy with just the right amount of dirty talk.
June 19, 2024
Overall book rating: 3.8
Audio Book: N/A
Book Cover: 2
I enjoyed this one.
Even if it did make me sad at times.
I liked Trace and Ben both.
The circumstances they found themselves in made the
read interesting.
I would have liked more time between the two of them and
maybe a tad less of the other distractions but still, it was
'n really nice way to spend time reading.
Audio Book: N/A
Book Cover: 2
I enjoyed this one.
Even if it did make me sad at times.
I liked Trace and Ben both.
The circumstances they found themselves in made the
read interesting.
I would have liked more time between the two of them and
maybe a tad less of the other distractions but still, it was
'n really nice way to spend time reading.
February 25, 2025
(3.5/5) When I read the blurb, I was a little worried that I wouldn't like the book. Stories like this walk a fine line between a beautiful romance and a very unrealistic romance. From homelessness to happiness is a difficult trope in my opinion. If it feels like the homeless person wants to repay the person who saved them with a relationship or sex, then it didn't work out. I've seen that before, sadly.
Thankfully, that wasn't the case in Ben and Trevor's story. Although I had my doubts about it at the beginning of the book. But when Ben managed without Trevor's help, I knew it would all work out. My fears were not realised. I was so damn relieved.
I genuinely liked the book. It wasn't perfect, there were a few things that didn't really work for me (like a lack of detail here and there and not enough depth in certain aspects of the story), but overall I enjoyed the book.
I especially loved the ending. That scene made me shed a tear.
Thankfully, that wasn't the case in Ben and Trevor's story. Although I had my doubts about it at the beginning of the book. But when Ben managed without Trevor's help, I knew it would all work out. My fears were not realised. I was so damn relieved.
I genuinely liked the book. It wasn't perfect, there were a few things that didn't really work for me (like a lack of detail here and there and not enough depth in certain aspects of the story), but overall I enjoyed the book.
I especially loved the ending. That scene made me shed a tear.
June 26, 2024
The guy in the alley had a lot of great qualities and is a book that I should really have loved but unfortunately it fell short for me and didn’t draw me in like other books that I really enjoy do.
Don’t get me wrong I loved most of the characters such as Alvin and chip but for me I felt that for a big part of it that it was very all over the place as well seeing as Alvin is Ben’s son you’d think he’d appear more but he doesn’t really which I found a great shame.
Don’t get me wrong I loved most of the characters such as Alvin and chip but for me I felt that for a big part of it that it was very all over the place as well seeing as Alvin is Ben’s son you’d think he’d appear more but he doesn’t really which I found a great shame.
did-not-finish
June 17, 202453% and gave up because I was terribly bored.
May 23, 2024
[I received a digital arc for an honest review]
The Guy in The Alley by Cara Dee is an MM romance between a single father whose currently homeless and trying to get back on his feet and the younger bar owner that falls in love with him and his son.
When Trace helps been get off the streets on a cold night the two have an instant connection. But Ben runs when the feelings get to intense because he doesn't feel worthy of man as put together as Trace. He doesn't want to be pitied and thinks he's becoming attached. He leaves and when Trace finds him again , no matter how much Ben running hurt him, he's not letting him go this time.
"The problem isn’t discomfort,” he muttered. “What is it, then?” His jaw ticked. “Wanting something too much.” Fuck me.
Ben is a single dad whose currently homeless. After losing his business, then his wife, he's struggling to get back on his feet. His autistic teenage son lives with his mother and he gives every penny he earns to them. His relationship with his mom and his son was simply heartwarming. Trace has been raised to help others but there's where more to that when he meets Ben. Yes he wants to help him but he also wants to get to know the man who banters back with him seamlessly.
This went so far beyond lust and temporary attachments. He was threatening my sanity as it was, and nobody had done that before.
I lived for their banter and domestic moments between Trace and Ben and all the moments between Ben and his son. Honestly though, the lack of communication between them killed my soul. Ben was a grown ass man who had been through a lot so I expected more from him. I did love that when they do reconnect that Trace is patient with Ben, and shows him he's serious and in it for the long haul with him and his son and his mum just melted my heart.
I understood he was too afraid to even hope, but I wasn’t. I was gonna make him see that we belonged together.
Overall The Guy In the Alley by Cara Dee is a sweet age gap mm romance with banter, sports rivalry, steam, family, patience , and a beachy happy ending.
The Guy in The Alley by Cara Dee is an MM romance between a single father whose currently homeless and trying to get back on his feet and the younger bar owner that falls in love with him and his son.
When Trace helps been get off the streets on a cold night the two have an instant connection. But Ben runs when the feelings get to intense because he doesn't feel worthy of man as put together as Trace. He doesn't want to be pitied and thinks he's becoming attached. He leaves and when Trace finds him again , no matter how much Ben running hurt him, he's not letting him go this time.
"The problem isn’t discomfort,” he muttered. “What is it, then?” His jaw ticked. “Wanting something too much.” Fuck me.
Ben is a single dad whose currently homeless. After losing his business, then his wife, he's struggling to get back on his feet. His autistic teenage son lives with his mother and he gives every penny he earns to them. His relationship with his mom and his son was simply heartwarming. Trace has been raised to help others but there's where more to that when he meets Ben. Yes he wants to help him but he also wants to get to know the man who banters back with him seamlessly.
This went so far beyond lust and temporary attachments. He was threatening my sanity as it was, and nobody had done that before.
I lived for their banter and domestic moments between Trace and Ben and all the moments between Ben and his son. Honestly though, the lack of communication between them killed my soul. Ben was a grown ass man who had been through a lot so I expected more from him. I did love that when they do reconnect that Trace is patient with Ben, and shows him he's serious and in it for the long haul with him and his son and his mum just melted my heart.
I understood he was too afraid to even hope, but I wasn’t. I was gonna make him see that we belonged together.
Overall The Guy In the Alley by Cara Dee is a sweet age gap mm romance with banter, sports rivalry, steam, family, patience , and a beachy happy ending.
November 2, 2025
It’s been a long time since I’ve read Cara Dee. She used to be an auto-buy author for me, but with the really long BDSM series and the other crossover one (I detest crossovers) I had lost interest. (I just looked it up. The Game is the BDSM series and the other one is The Renegades series. She lost me with those.) I truly miss the Camassia Cove people (except when they crossover with people I have no idea about because they’re from those other series 🙄), but these standalones are usually good.
This book was a middle-of-the-road read for me. I really liked Ben and was disappointed that we got only snippets from his POV. It took me a long time to warm up to Trace and this was 90-95% in his POV. I craved some page time with Ben and his son. It was so limited! There was even a part where Ben got a call and told Trace that he needed to go to his mother’s because Alvin (Ben’s son) was having an anxiety attack. Then it just cut to a whole different scene completely unrelated. It was so frustrating!!! We were told how things were with Alvin, but we were shown very little. I did enjoy it when Trace had his nephew with him. He was a hoot.
The sports stuff was far too annoying as well. I found it confusing. It was like the author and the people of Chicago had their own language and everyone was in on it but me.
This book was a middle-of-the-road read for me. I really liked Ben and was disappointed that we got only snippets from his POV. It took me a long time to warm up to Trace and this was 90-95% in his POV. I craved some page time with Ben and his son. It was so limited! There was even a part where Ben got a call and told Trace that he needed to go to his mother’s because Alvin (Ben’s son) was having an anxiety attack. Then it just cut to a whole different scene completely unrelated. It was so frustrating!!! We were told how things were with Alvin, but we were shown very little. I did enjoy it when Trace had his nephew with him. He was a hoot.
The sports stuff was far too annoying as well. I found it confusing. It was like the author and the people of Chicago had their own language and everyone was in on it but me.
May 27, 2025
Whoa what a tear jerker 🥹🥹🥹
Ben was very down on his luck and a chance encounter with Trace changed both of their lives forever.
This book killed me in the best of ways. Trace was definitely a very giving person. Ben was very reticent for obvious reasons. Lots of bumps along the way but they finally got their shit together by the end. The side character game was super strong too. Cara always writes kids so well. AND I hate kids in books 🤣🤣🤣
That last part in Florida 🌊🌊🌊
🥺🥺🥺🥺🥰🥰🥰🥰
Ben was very down on his luck and a chance encounter with Trace changed both of their lives forever.
This book killed me in the best of ways. Trace was definitely a very giving person. Ben was very reticent for obvious reasons. Lots of bumps along the way but they finally got their shit together by the end. The side character game was super strong too. Cara always writes kids so well. AND I hate kids in books 🤣🤣🤣
That last part in Florida 🌊🌊🌊
🥺🥺🥺🥺🥰🥰🥰🥰
Read
July 27, 2024Oh, boy. Realized I have read this when it popped up at KU. I read it at KOBO. Not sure why I didn’t mark it as read.
May 24, 2024
This is tied to the Guy in the Window book but they can be read separately.
Ben is unhoused and after an unfortunate event, he finds himself injured and without his car in an alley. Good thing Trace is taking out the trash at the right time and finds him. 😉
In the next 36 hours, they get Ben cleaned up and put to work. He helps around the bar and with the soup kitchen and him and Trace get closer. But Ben doesn’t think he’s worthy of Trace due to his circumstances of being unhoused and a single dad to an autistic child.
This is age gap but it’s not a major plot point. They just fit together.
It was such a journey for them and Ben specifically. 🥹
Unfortunately, the last 20% percent dragged for me and I found myself forcing my brain to see it through. It wrapped up conflicts and such but it didn’t seem to be necessary other than to show their HEA more in depth.
Overall, I did really enjoy this. 🖤
Ben is unhoused and after an unfortunate event, he finds himself injured and without his car in an alley. Good thing Trace is taking out the trash at the right time and finds him. 😉
In the next 36 hours, they get Ben cleaned up and put to work. He helps around the bar and with the soup kitchen and him and Trace get closer. But Ben doesn’t think he’s worthy of Trace due to his circumstances of being unhoused and a single dad to an autistic child.
This is age gap but it’s not a major plot point. They just fit together.
It was such a journey for them and Ben specifically. 🥹
Unfortunately, the last 20% percent dragged for me and I found myself forcing my brain to see it through. It wrapped up conflicts and such but it didn’t seem to be necessary other than to show their HEA more in depth.
Overall, I did really enjoy this. 🖤
May 12, 2024
**I received an electronic ARC via BookSprout. Thank you!**
Cara Dee returns to the world of The Guy in the Window with this standalone spinoff novel, The Guy in the Alley. Readers follow Trace as he is setting into his new role as owner of the Dearborn Clover sports bar, a bar that's been in his family for generations. When Trace is taking out the trash one night, Trace stumbles into Ben. Ben has been robbed, is injured, and his car was stolen - an issue that is only compounded by the fact that the car was where Ben had been sleeping. All of Ben's money goes toward his autistic son Alvin's care and toward Ben's mother, who is taking care of Alvin. When Trace steps in to help Ben treat his wounds, it may be a start of change for both of them.
First, there is no need to read The Guy in the Window to read The Guy in the Alley. There are some crossover characters, but the storylines are separate.
Full disclosure, Cara Dee is a favorite writer of mine. I have read over 20 of her published works, and she is absolutely an auto-buy author for me.
Cara Dee, as a writer, never shies away from showing the difficult portions of the lives of her characters. Her characters struggle emotionally and physically with the circumstances they find themselves in, which makes her HEA/HFN resolutions all the more impactful. You know that the characters have earned every single bit of the happiness they find. While The Guy in the Alley may seem as though it is set up for heavy topics and a sad storyline, there is always an underlayer of hope. This book is, at its heart, a romance even if it isn't light or fluffy in getting there. These characters feel honest, raw, and authentic in a way that is consistent for Cara Dee's books but is so rare in the publishing industry as a whole. This does not mean that the entire book is sad or emotional as there are plenty of "bright spot"s along the way.
There is also a great deal of care given to the representation of neurodivergence in Alvin and in mental health representation throughout the book.
Overall, I was so pleased to have the privilege to read The Guy in the Alley early and will absolutely be picking up whatever Cara Dee writes next.
Cara Dee returns to the world of The Guy in the Window with this standalone spinoff novel, The Guy in the Alley. Readers follow Trace as he is setting into his new role as owner of the Dearborn Clover sports bar, a bar that's been in his family for generations. When Trace is taking out the trash one night, Trace stumbles into Ben. Ben has been robbed, is injured, and his car was stolen - an issue that is only compounded by the fact that the car was where Ben had been sleeping. All of Ben's money goes toward his autistic son Alvin's care and toward Ben's mother, who is taking care of Alvin. When Trace steps in to help Ben treat his wounds, it may be a start of change for both of them.
First, there is no need to read The Guy in the Window to read The Guy in the Alley. There are some crossover characters, but the storylines are separate.
Full disclosure, Cara Dee is a favorite writer of mine. I have read over 20 of her published works, and she is absolutely an auto-buy author for me.
Cara Dee, as a writer, never shies away from showing the difficult portions of the lives of her characters. Her characters struggle emotionally and physically with the circumstances they find themselves in, which makes her HEA/HFN resolutions all the more impactful. You know that the characters have earned every single bit of the happiness they find. While The Guy in the Alley may seem as though it is set up for heavy topics and a sad storyline, there is always an underlayer of hope. This book is, at its heart, a romance even if it isn't light or fluffy in getting there. These characters feel honest, raw, and authentic in a way that is consistent for Cara Dee's books but is so rare in the publishing industry as a whole. This does not mean that the entire book is sad or emotional as there are plenty of "bright spot"s along the way.
There is also a great deal of care given to the representation of neurodivergence in Alvin and in mental health representation throughout the book.
Overall, I was so pleased to have the privilege to read The Guy in the Alley early and will absolutely be picking up whatever Cara Dee writes next.
June 6, 2024
Contemporary romance, age gap (17 years), hurt/comfort, blue-collar MC, set in Chicago.
Trace Kalecki (32) inherited his family's sports bar, where he works long hours and lives in the upstairs apartment. He has a good relationship with his parents, who now live in Florida.
Benjamin "Ben" O'Cleary (49) is a contractor who "spent twenty years building houses, just to end up homeless". He has been looking for work for quite some time but times are difficult and he is getting on in years. He has a son with special needs who lives with his grandmother (Ben's mum).
On a particularly chilly day, Trace finds Ben in the alley next to his bar, battered and in pain. He takes Ben inside and offers him a place to stay for the night. By the following day, their mutual attraction leads to physical intimacy. Ben leaves in the morning, thinking he is not good enough for a young man like Trace. It is not long before Ben ends up back in the alley, this time fairly malnourished and with a high fever. Once again, Trace takes care of him and this time Ben decides to stick around. It is not long before attraction leads to love and they become one big happy family.
I enjoyed this story more so than I was expecting as I have not had much success with many of the author's other books. The age gap was not obvious in the ways the characters spoke or behaved. The story mainly centred on Ben's struggles with homelessness and pursuit of a job which would enable him to find a place where he can live with his son and mum, and how meeting Trace gave him the support he needed to overcome these challenges.
Trace Kalecki (32) inherited his family's sports bar, where he works long hours and lives in the upstairs apartment. He has a good relationship with his parents, who now live in Florida.
Benjamin "Ben" O'Cleary (49) is a contractor who "spent twenty years building houses, just to end up homeless". He has been looking for work for quite some time but times are difficult and he is getting on in years. He has a son with special needs who lives with his grandmother (Ben's mum).
On a particularly chilly day, Trace finds Ben in the alley next to his bar, battered and in pain. He takes Ben inside and offers him a place to stay for the night. By the following day, their mutual attraction leads to physical intimacy. Ben leaves in the morning, thinking he is not good enough for a young man like Trace. It is not long before Ben ends up back in the alley, this time fairly malnourished and with a high fever. Once again, Trace takes care of him and this time Ben decides to stick around. It is not long before attraction leads to love and they become one big happy family.
I enjoyed this story more so than I was expecting as I have not had much success with many of the author's other books. The age gap was not obvious in the ways the characters spoke or behaved. The story mainly centred on Ben's struggles with homelessness and pursuit of a job which would enable him to find a place where he can live with his son and mum, and how meeting Trace gave him the support he needed to overcome these challenges.
May 26, 2024
I legit cried so many times in this book! Happy tears and my heart hurts tears. Trace owns a sports bar, the Dearborn Clover, he’s trying to pick up more business by making some changes after his dad handed over the reins. One night while taking the garbage out he stumbles upon an injured homeless man that had been robbed and carjacked, and stabbed. Ben was living in his car while trying to find a new job because finding steady work has been hard in his industry. He has a son that lives with his elderly mother to take care of, so when his only shelter and transportation gets stolen and he’s left injured, it’s just another crap thing that he’s gonna have to suffer through. But he gets lucky by meeting Trace. Trace has a heart of gold and offers Ben a place to sleep, a foldable bed in an alcove above the bar. And in return, Ben helps out at the soup kitchen the bar runs. Ben and Trace are immediately drawn to each other. Their personalities click, they have amazing banter and even hotter chemistry. This book made me laugh, it made me cry and it left me with such a warm, fuzzy feeling in my chest. Ben’s son Alvin was such an amazing character that hurt my heart to watch him struggle but I adored how Trace just jumped in and found solutions. And Trace’s nephew Chip was just a cute ball of energy. We got to see visits of Adam and Ev and Bella, which I loved because they stole my heart in their book, the guy in the window. I absolutely loved the entire support characters, Trace’s family was hilarious and sweet. And Ben’s mom and cousin were just amazing souls. So many bright spots in Ben and Trace’s life. As always for a Cara Dee story, it was written beautifully and well. It evoked strong emotions. I fell in love with this couple and their family. It had a wide emotional range, chemistry, sexy times but it was plot driven, it was emotionally charged. It was an amazing hurt/comfort, age gap story.
May 19, 2024
This book, with its unbearably sweet moments that tug at your heart, was absolutely sensational and I loved it, which isn’t a surprise since I have loved every book I’ve read by Cara Dee.
Ben and Trace’s story is gritty, emotional and steamy and just perfect if you’re looking for a hurt comfort romance with loads of comfort to heal the hurt.
The story is beautifully written, just pulls you in as they both grow, battling their demons and dreaming up a future and find a way to be together. The pacing of the book is sublime and even the quick hop, skip and a jump from rescue to attraction is entirely believable. As is the time they take to face their challenges on the way to their HEA.
I loved Trace with his big huge squishy heart and Ben had me tearful a time or two with his independence and resilience in the face of so much - that man is a warrior, also major take charge vibes 🥵. These two are an inferno of spice and steam when they get together and that banter and dirty talk is chef’s kiss.
I loved Alvin, Angie, Chip, Ben’s mom and Trace’s dad and also I loved seeing glimpses of characters from The Guy in the Window which is a favourite of mine.
Expect:
* Hurt Comfort
* Age gap
* Found family
* Dirty talk
* Neurodiversity rep
* Fast burn
* Banter
* Mental health rep
Ben and Trace’s story is gritty, emotional and steamy and just perfect if you’re looking for a hurt comfort romance with loads of comfort to heal the hurt.
The story is beautifully written, just pulls you in as they both grow, battling their demons and dreaming up a future and find a way to be together. The pacing of the book is sublime and even the quick hop, skip and a jump from rescue to attraction is entirely believable. As is the time they take to face their challenges on the way to their HEA.
I loved Trace with his big huge squishy heart and Ben had me tearful a time or two with his independence and resilience in the face of so much - that man is a warrior, also major take charge vibes 🥵. These two are an inferno of spice and steam when they get together and that banter and dirty talk is chef’s kiss.
I loved Alvin, Angie, Chip, Ben’s mom and Trace’s dad and also I loved seeing glimpses of characters from The Guy in the Window which is a favourite of mine.
Expect:
* Hurt Comfort
* Age gap
* Found family
* Dirty talk
* Neurodiversity rep
* Fast burn
* Banter
* Mental health rep
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