Check Me Out: Four Market-Fresh MM Romances

by Jordan Castillo Price, Kim Fielding, Clare London

Who says Romance can’t be found in everyday places?

Four Market-Fresh MM Romances from four well-loved, award-winning MM authors, each set in the supermarket. Follow the characters on a trip down the grocery aisle, where unexpected romance drops right into their baskets.

Whether you're drawn to the charm of modern love or the intrigue of uncanny twists, this anthology promises a fresh and heartwarming reading experience. Dive in and discover that sometimes, love is just an aisle away.

THE PRICE OF HAPPINESS by Jordan Castillo Price

Between his guitar gig in a local indie band and his cashier gig at the Val-U-Mart, Angus has no time to worry about discount-pricing an vaguely-labeled can at the back of a shelf. But that dollar price is currently all that Newton can afford for today’s grocery haul, which brings him into Angus’ orbit. Can you put a price on happiness? Angus and Newton are about to find out.

DEMO DAY by Clare London

Pips has been having one of those weeks. Possibly a year of them. His bad luck with boyfriends and jobs is legendary, and seems to have followed him into his new role as this week’s Demonstrator at Your Better Buyz.

That is, until the succession of disasters at the demonstration table brings him to the attention of Marcus, the very cute marketing trainee Pips had been trying so hard – on principle - to hate.

LOST IN by Kim Fielding

Joe Becker can’t find the dental floss. In fact, he can’t find any of the items he’s looking for in the huge, sterile supermarket he’s arrived at. Even with the help of Han, the best customer service rep Joe could ever have imagined, he’s lost in more ways than he can explain. Faced with a crisis between his life to date, and what the future now holds – what’s the chance of a fresh start?

GAY NINETIES NIGHT AT THE PICK AND GRAB by Dev Bentham

Seth mistakenly attends the local supermarket dating social, but quickly realises it’s not exactly his demographic. Luckily Dakota, the attractive manager, is more Seth’s age and type, and there’s no denying the attraction. Together, they watch and navigate the amusing, poignant, and turbulent love stories unfolding for the other customers - from a romantic wrangle over cocktail peanuts to an anguished love waiting from afar - and discover a story for their very own.

Genres: Anthologies, M M Romance, Romance, Paranormal, Contemporary, LGBT

201 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 12, 2024

About the author

Author and artist Jordan Castillo Price writes paranormal sci-fi thrillers colored by her time in the Midwest, from inner city Chicago, to various cities across southern Wisconsin. She’s settled in a 1910 Cape Cod near Lake Michigan with tons of character and a plethora of bizarre spiders. Any disembodied noises, she’s decided, will be blamed on the ice maker.

Jordan is best known as the author of the PsyCop series, an unfolding tale of paranormal mystery and suspense starring Victor Bayne, a gay medium who's plagued by ghostly visitations.

Reviews

[ds321 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved every story in this anthology. There are some consistencies of theme but each story is unique. One important and positive commonality: although the stories are short, these authors are talented enough to allow us to get to know the main characters. And I liked all of them.

In The Price of Happiness by Jordan Castillo Price, the main characters each have their idiosyncrasies and (probably correctly) think the world doesn't quite understand them. Although very different on the surface, they connect in ways that make sense. And in a way very enjoyable to read. Angus and Newton. *sigh*

In Demo Day by Clare London, I was worried for a minute that there was gong to be too much of the cringe factor that is the reason I don't watch sitcoms. I should have known better because Ms. London is more talented than that. Pips is sweet and quirky without being a caricature, and I loved how she introduced Marcus and allowed us to discover his personality while Pips did. Turns out that Marcus is just as adorable as Pips.

In Gay Nineties at the Pick and Grab, I enjoyed how Dev Bentham established Seth’s personality and how she introduced Dakota as well. The premise was cute without being cutesy and the side characters added depth - with humor but without devolving into "aww, look at the cute widdle old people finding wuv.”

In Lost In, Kim Fielding’s world-building, or I guess situation-building, was unique and compelling. I’m not sure I can describe Joe and Han and how they got to know each other but it was lovely to read.

I thoroughly enjoyed all four stories in this anthology, and appreciated the note each author included about their story.

I'd love to see a second volume, ideally with the same authors, and same title. The difference? Library setting instead of grocery store.

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a collection of short stories featuring people finding love in... the supermarket!

THE PRICE OF HAPPINESS by Jordan Castillo Price
Such a beautiful story, about finding happiness in the least expected place, from the least expected person. I love the idea of this mysterious can, with only 'Happiness' written in it; no explanations, no contents, not even an expiration date. Just... Happiness. Tell me you wouldn't grab it! I know I would :P

Angus and Newton might look too different for they truly fit each other but... they are like puzzle pieces, whose ragged edges clasp wonderfully. ♥

DEMO DAY by Clare London
This one was really fun. Lots of minor disasters paving the road to love ♥

GAY NINETIES NIGHT AT THE PICK AND GRAB by Dev Bentham
Just... lovely. I adore the idea of a store doing a date night for old people. Loneliness is such a terrible thing and this was such a fun way of getting people together :D

And, sometimes, playing matchmaker can get you more than you hoped for :D

LOST IN by Kim Fielding
Oh, I liked this one, I liked how we slowly get a sense of unease about the supermarket, how we (and Joe) understand little by little what's going on.

And I liked the ending. Who doesn't like second chances dressed up as new beginnings?

[Ami · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Price of Happiness by Jordan Castillo Price: 3 stars

Nice story about an employee at a market and a visitor with a conversation that was quite smart for two strangers *laugh*. There's a dash of paranomal too with a can of Happiness

Demo Day by Clare London: 3.5 stars

While there's that INSTANT attraction (that went straight to sexual action) after a couple of days, I adored both Pips and Marcus. I thought they had that sparks and the supermarket setting with the employees were delightful.

Gay Nineties Night at the Pick and Grab by Dev Bentham: 3 stars

I don't know - felt slightly weird about this one. I guess the whole "gay" and "nineties" was a bit lost on me. But it was cute reading two younger guys playing matchmaker for octogenarians

Lost In by Kim Fielding: 3.5 stars

Okay. Wow. That had a kick in a gut kind of start! I was trying to figure out what happened to Joe and I was SO HAPPY it ended with happy for now ending because I didn't know how I would feel if Joe chose Australia instead of US - PS: if that line is confusing you need to read this story to understand what I meant

[Edga · Rating 4 out of 5]

A decent selection of short stories from a group of talented authors. They're very different, but have a similar theme, finding romance in a grocery store. All were well written, with good story and character development, and very imaginatively written. My two favourites were stories by Clare London and Jordan Castillo Price.

Clare's story was sweet and chaotic. Pips made me smile so much, trying to find a career that fits him, he manfully volunteers to carry out promotions and demos in the store where he works. Mishap after mishap takes place, but he finds true love in the grocery store, with Marcus, and what a smitten kitten he is! A fun story, which I really enjoyed.

Jordan Castillo Price has been one of my go to authors for years, so I knew l would enjoy her offering. With a little magic, Angus and Newton find forever love, among the bargains on offer.

Dev Bentham offers a fun short. Two lonely guys find love and companionship at a Gay Nineties Night, except all is not what it seems. One again, set in a grocery store, the story is a fun read, set up beautifully for a sweet meet cute.

Although I enjoyed Kim Fieldings story, it kind of felt out of place amongst the others. It's beautifully written, and like many of this lady's books, it's mysterious, with an edge of the paranormal. It's one of those stories that you can read into it what you wish. It does have a very hopeful ending, but I did find it was a little bit of a slog getting there.

If you fancy something a bit different, this is the book for you. Recommended.

[Fay MMBookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

A set of 4 romance stories to enjoy in this check out anthology.

The Price Of Happiness by Jordan Castillo Price
4 stars… Angus was a worker at a busy food mart but also was a band member staying out late at night before his shift.
A mystery can of Happiness produced hassles for the staff but it’d find its home.
Newton, a uni student, hated lentils, yeah I cant say I'd blame him yuck. Fate had him headed to the store with a dollar in hand. Lol I had to laugh at their first meal theyd shared. It was indeed a special kinda can. A great story.

Demo Day by Clare London
4 stars…Pips was a demo cook in a store when no one else volunteered. Pips don't have the best luck with love,..until he meets Marcus.
Marcus' first day at the store and at first Pips didn't know who he was.
A great story with store mishaps making it fun to read.

Gay Nineties Night at the Pick and Grab by Dev Bentham
4.5 stars A new author for me to read with this story.
Seth was a gamer and still single in a small community. A gay event at the local store for meetings and Seth gets a first meeting with Dakota, the store manager. A twist and Seth is mixed up with the event. But he finds love when he least expects it. I laughed at the scenes, and really liked Dakota’s humour. Lots of romance happens in this one and not just Seth and Dakotas.

Lost In by Kim Fielding
3 stars I couldn't really get into this story.
Joe was a weary traveller stopping in for a spot of night shopping to pick up a few things. He meets Hans aiming to please him with his customer service.

I received this as an advance reader copy and this is my honest thoughts.

[Monika · Rating 3 out of 5]

**3.25 Stars**

This was a cute 4 story anthology with all the stories sharing a similar theme, finding love in a grocery story. A nice quick easy read.

The Prince of Happiness by Jordan Castillo Price
**3 Stars**
A really great concept with a tiny dash of paranormal maybe.😉 I would have liked just a bit more with this story.

Demo Day by Clare London
**3 Stars**
This was a cute short read with a dash of humor, very sweet.

Gay Nineties Night at the Pick and Grab by Dev Bentham
**3 Stars**
This was probably my least favorite. I thought the premise was a good one but I struggled to connect to the MCs or their story. Definitely some sweet moments though.

Lost In by Kim Fielding
**4 Stars**
This was my favorite of the four. A paranormal story with a really great premise. I really wish there was more to this one but strangely enough I don't feel like I was missing anything at the end.

[Barb ~rede-2-read~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic anthology, this book features four authors who have brilliant storytelling skills. Combining their talents with a common theme, they’ve put together a creative, fast-paced, entertaining, and refreshing view of meet-cutes and romances at local supermarkets. Who knew it could be so rewarding to shop?

THE PRICE OF HAPPINESS by Jordan Castillo Price

This was a sweet story with a unique meeting of main characters. When a young math genius, Newton, is down to his last dollar, one he happened to find, he encounters a blue-haired musician, Angus, who is working part time as a clerk at the local grocery store. Angus has marked a can labeled only as “Happiness” down to ninety-nine cents simply because he can’t figure out where to shelve it. Newton purchases it with his dollar and sets off a chain of events that begins a beautiful relationship.

After a nice dinner date, the guys open the can, which to their surprise does indeed include happiness for them and a glimpse at their future HEA for readers. I loved the creativity of this story, the witty banter, the whole meet-cute circumstance and the surprise can of happiness. Very nice for so short a story.

DEMO DAY by Clare London

Pips is a disaster, in that he can’t seem to hold a job. He either doesn’t fit or doesn’t like the work, or he missteps in some way and ends up unemployed. He’s having the same luck with boyfriends, so when he catches his current one with not one but two guys, he finds himself free for the week instead of going on their planned vacation. Deciding to volunteer for demo days at his current place of employment, a smalltown supermarket, is the best decision he ever makes.

Marcus is a marketing trainee from corporate, the sort of “fat cat” disparaged by Pips, loudly, when he meets a disaster at his first demo. Unfortunately, Marcus is there to witness Pips’s opinion of headquarters. It’s a good thing Marcus thinks Pips is adorable and is totally infatuated by the end of the day. These two definitely have a meet-cute and what they find is that they complement each other in many other ways as well. They’re a good team on the job, which their bosses might recognize, but more importantly, a good team for each other.

This story was fun and filled with humorous and memorable secondary characters, the sort that make a short story feel complete. Definitely a great addition to the anthology.

GAY NINETIES NIGHT AT THE PICK AND GRAB by Dev Bentham

When Seth finds out the gay nineties night at the supermarket is not actually a night for gay men to socialize, but instead is a night for senior citizens, he’s disappointed until he meets Dakota, the store manager—the very gay store manager. They hit it off and once Dakota gets some break time they make time to get to know each other, so to speak. This story is made even better by the host of senior citizens enjoying their “gay nineties” and one particular gay couple who have been estranged for decades. Seth and Dakota work their persuasion magic to get the old guys back together and along the way find that they themselves are perfect for each other.

This one was a very nice story by an author I haven’t read yet but will now be seeking out. The characters were memorable, the meet-cute sweet, and their HEA is a real possibility.

LOST IN by Kim Fielding

This story is not at all what it seems to be when it opens with Joe looking for dental floss in a vast and nearly empty supermarket late one night. The place is filled with just about everything else, including a few aisles of chocolates and a handsome otherworldly clerk named Han. The story takes a paranormal spirit-filled twist as it moves along, and Joe finds much more than he bargained for. Not only does he meet and flirt with Han, he’s given an opportunity to change his life’s direction, a second chance for a do-over. Han and Joe are destined to be together as their chemistry shows, but just where exactly will this future together take place?

Kim Fielding brings her own brand of humor and plot twists with a measure of spooky to this story, and, of course, leaves readers pleasurably content with a large dose of speculation as Joe and Han just may find their paths crossing again in a different time and location.

Note: a copy of this ARC was provided through Rainbow Book Reviews.

[Annie Maus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four top notch authors offer short romances in “Check Me Out,” each started at a grocery store. The collection is a great way to showcase different author’s styles, talents and moods.

“The Price of Happiness” Jordan Castillo Price
Ms. Price uses her pairing in to examine the what makes us happy, while…Well, I was happy reading. Ms. Price elevates the short to a fun ditty. Angus, an aspiring musician who works at the supermarket, has marked an unknown can at 99 cents. That’s exactly what Isaac can afford as a struggling college math student. When their sparks fly, they find commonalities beyond their physical attraction. They love to discuss their deeper beliefs about relationships.

Ms. Price presents these heavy concepts with ease and lightness. “Caution was for wet paint and choking hazards.” “You might think you need the lows to appreciate the highs…but you’d be wrong. Each flavor of happiness is distinct enough to provide contrast, like a bag of mixed gourmet jellybeans.” Smart fun.

“Demo Day” Clare London
Clare London brings humor, joy and romance to every day men in “Demo Day.” Pips should be on vacation with his ex, except he found the guy in bed with two of his friends. Instead, he’s volunteered to be the store demonstrator – making gazpacho and other meals, while encouraging shoppers to buy the ingredients. This is his fourth job in under a year and one he actually likes. Marcus, who came up with demo days, as a marketer for the chain, catches sight of the “sparkling” man bringing joy to customers, and falls hard. But both are more than a bit accident prone, and come from different walks of life. Can they find love beyond the bloopers?

Ms. London made me smile repeatedly, yet offered depth, as these contrasting quotes show. “I assured her I’d suffer the indignity, gird my loins, and get it done. She’d looked even more uncertain, but my loins were girded by then.” “I was having the week from hell, but maybe I deserved it because of the thoughtless way I’d led my life to date. The jobs I’d been useless at, the boys I’d dated without much of a care, my headlong pursuit of style over substance.” Great characters.

“Gay Nineties Night at the Pick and Grab” Dev Bentham
Ms. Bentham presents a cupid-like look at love, available and any age, as Seth learns when he finally gets the courage to attend Gay Nineties Night at his local grocer. Unfortunately, the emphasis is on “nineties” as in, the elderly, and not a gay meet-up. Luckily, employee Dakota helps him see the beauty in match-making. But will this prompt their own connection? Great characters abound!

There’s a warm underlying humor to this piece, like the undernotes of chocolate in a beloved tea. Bentham’s success lies in the ability to see everyone’s beauty, especially the charm in those a bit off center.

“Lost In” Kim Fielding
“Lost In” is dreamy. Joe has flown for business to discover he needs dental floss. At the supermarket he meets employee Han, who helps him through the maze of aisles. The goods remind him of childhood, which prompts him examine his choices. Must he really live his bland existence? Hans’ presence and their chemistry help him realize what he’s been missing. But will he act on it when he returns home?

I loved the allegory of shopping items for life choices. Most of us have periods when we feel like we’re on auto-pilot. This short story encourages us to seek our real needs, without the preaching.

Four authors with very different styles charmed me. And at the end of each piece, when they offered their inspirations, the short stories richened. A delightful way to escape reality, and return a bit more centered. We all need that!

[Ramsi · Rating 5 out of 5]

All in all I'd say 4 to 4,5 stars for the collection, rounded up

Omg what a trip! I LOVED this small collection with 4 short stories by different authors – one of them I've never read before - all with the common theme of finding love in the supermarket.
I would love to tell you so much about this book and tell you to read it but I honestly can't find the words to express what I'd like to say.

I'll try my best:
I was really surprised how diverse stories with the same theme can be.
Here we have four really different takes. Two are a bit magical and otherworldly while the other two are in a contemporary setting. All of them were wonderful and intriguing.
I was hooked fast by each story and couldn't put the kindle down until I've finished them all.

I'd say one of the best anthologies I've read in years. Perhaps because a lot of these situations were somehow familiar and relatable to me. I could practically feel Joe's exhaustion and confusion, could picture Pips and felt with Newton and his very tight budget as well as with Seth and his 'I'm new in the city and am in search of connections'.

I loved the slightly bizarre story by Kim Fielding as well as Clare's with her 'I tell it how it is' story. I simply adore Clare's writing style, like someone else said, it's 'down to earth' and I find that refreshing.

I enjoyed the bit strange story (only in a good way) by Jordan Castillo Price, which was insta-lust but with very likeable MCs who were so opposite personalities and yet fit together wonderful.

But I think my favourite was the story from new to me author Dev Bentham. I simply loved it. Dakota has a heart of gold and I adore him so much! Ah, honestly, I adored all of the characters, even the side-characters. I had to go and borrow three of her other books immediately.

All in all I'd say 4 to 4,5 stars for the collection - like mentioned at the beginning. ;)


The plots were good and the execution satisfying with a good pacing. I liked all writing styles even if they were very different. But perhaps that made it so perfect for me. No story and style was like the other.
For such short stories we get to know the MCs remarkable well. I was invested in their HEAs and rooting for every single pair of those four couples.

All of them left me feeling satisfied and happy and yet I would have loved to read more of each story. But for that to wish for there has to be something there for me, something that grabbed me. I have to be interested and entertained. And they all managed that fantastic!


Definitely a recommendation. Give this collection a try but do keep in mind that we're talking short stories. Big character developments aren't possible but I'm pretty confident in saying you'll be satisfied with the stories nevertheless.

[Marion · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the premise of this book. All meet cutes are related to a grocery store. Not your typical meet location. The book is well written and easy to read. I enjoyed all four short stories. It is an easy way to meet new authors. This book will leave you with a smile on your face.

THE PRICE OF HAPPINESS by Jordan Castillo Price. This is the story of Angus and Newton. Angus is in a band and works at the Val-U-Mart as a cashier. While restocking shelves, he finds a can with no price. He puts a sale sticker on and everyone gets ready for the door to open. Newton is a struggling college math student. Finding a dollar he decides to go in and buy something for breakfast. Find the can labeled "Happiness" , he decides to buy it as it is the only thing he can afford. Even though Newton is a planner and Angus is a free spirit, sparks fly when they meet. Who know that happiness can be found in a can? A fun story to read.

DEMO DAY by Clare London. This is a typical Clare London story. There is a healthy helping of fun, joy and romance. This is the story of Pips and Marcus. Pips has been going through some rough times and is working at YBB store. He volunteers to do demonstrations of products and recipes at the store. He is friendly and knows his regulars well. When a good looking man complements him on how well he performed, he explains that the "Tossers in Head Office" came up with the ridiculous idea. Of course, Marcus is the man behind the idea from Head Office. The two have instant chemistry and keep seeing each other throughout the week. A fun story that will make you smile.

GAY NINETIES NIGHT AT THE PICK AND GRAB by Dev Bentham This book starts off with a misunderstanding that I would have made. This is the story of Seth and Dakota. Seth is new in town and sees the flyer for Gay Nineties Night at the Pick and Grab. Thinking it is a gay mixer event, off he goes. Dakota is the manager at the Pick and Grab. He is embarrassed to explain to Seth that the owner came up with the idea. The emphasis is on Nineties and not Gay. It is a chance for older people to meet while shopping. Both Seth and Dakota are very nice and kind. They both try to help the older couples that are there. This is another fun read.

LOST IN by Kim Fielding. This one was completely unexpected and I really enjoyed it. This is the story of Han and Joe. The story starts with Joe looking for dental floss. He is staying at a hotel and he forgot to pack dental floss. Han is at the store to assist Joe in any way that he can. I like how the story develops and the twist at the end is a perfect ending to the book.

I received a complementary advanced review copy from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Belinda Zamora · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved all four if these unique stories about finding love in the grocery aisles.

The Price of Happiness by Jordan Castillo Price
Newton is really struggling and decides to take an unexpected trip to the grocery store.
He really can't afford anything but well timed gust of wind provides him a small monetary gain.
Angus is very much a rocker working as a cashier while rocking out at night.
A mysterious can that he decides to put on discount is just what Newton can afford.
Newton decides to to be brave and bold by following up on Angus flirting with him.
Happiness indeed plays a major role in their burgeoning romance.

Demo Day by Clare London
Pip is a very sassy cashier who has a no filter problem.
He's also not had very much luck in life in general and is feeling a bit out of sorts.
He's been roped into doing demonstrations
and doesn't feel as though he's up to the task.
Marcus is an upper management type who's been sent to support this new endeavor.
There's all kinds of ridiculous shenanigans due to Pip's inability to filter his thoughts.
Marcus also feels as though he's not living up to his potential.
Together they find their perfect match in each other.

Gay Nineties at the Pick and Grab by Dev Bentham
I thought this story was absolutely adorable.
Seth is an introverted, nerdy guy who's lonely.
When he sees an advertisement for a meett and greet at a local grocery store he decides to give it a whirl after a friend pushes him to get out more.
When he arrives he realizes he's made a mistake.
This is a senior citizen group.
Dakota is a manager and is immediately taken with Seth in his dashing fedora.
There's immediate chemistry between them but Seth is drawn to Dakota's kindness towards the seniors and his matchmaking attempts.
Together they also help bring together a pair of ex partners.

Lost In by Kim Fielding
Joe is feeling a bit lost and can't quite place why everything feels just a bit off.
Han is a very courteous worker in an immense grocery store that has everything one could ever want.
He's very solicitous and at Joe's beck and call.
Things are not what they seem and Joe can no longer ignore the truth lurking in the back of mind.
Han then has to let Joe in on what the situation is.
There is way to circumvent the situation but it would brings things to a past point and the hope that they would have the ability and then chemistry to find one another again.

[Susan Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the things I enjoy about anthologies on a specific theme is seeing how different authors can spin wildly different stories. Such is the case with Check Me Out, four tales set in grocery stores, a rather prosaic place for most of us. The Price of Happiness by Jordan Castillo Price has an intriguing hook in a can that gets priced so low even a starving college student can afford it. Its protagonists are the classic opposites attract in a musician who works at the grocery store to pay the bills and the aforementioned starving college student. JCP is a master at this trope and makes it fresh every time. Demo Day by Clare London (mastermind behind this anthology) also has two disparate characters, Pips who can't keep a job or a boyfriend, and Marcus, college-educated marketing trainee. It was fun to see how many ways the different product demonstrations could go wrong, in ways I hope no real store has ever experienced. Lost In by Kim Fielding is a little more serious than the other entries, but by no means overly angsty. Her main character, Joe, finds himself lost in a huge grocery store, dazed by its product diversity. He is saved by Han, a sweet and a little naive customer service employee. While I guessed the twist in this tale, Fielding gave it her own inimitable take and gave it an uplifting ending. Gay Nineties at the Pick and Grab by Dev Bentham stars a grocery store that hosts a themed night. Like most of those reading this book, gay is a sexual orientation for Seth and not a descriptor of an age group. He attends the night because he needs to get out in his new community and gets caught up in the affairs of the older generation. He meets Dakota, the manger who is in charge of the evening. I liked how the attraction between Seth and Dakota was interwoven with the pairings of the nineties crowd and helped by some other store employees. The challenge of reviewing short stories is not writing spoilers. All of these stories have a romantically happy ending and each put a smile on my face. TBH, three of these authors are among my all-time favorites, so I hope new readers will find a new author to follow. I received a free copy of this book from one (or two) of the authors and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Harrison Hicks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a rather unusual collection of shorter stories that work surprisingly well together. Four authors have joined to offer tales centered around supermarkets, each with their own style and twists.

First up is "The Price of Happiness" by Jordan Castillo Price. Angus and Newton are drawn together as Newton makes an unusual purchase at the supermarket where Angus works. There's a dash of magic realism mixed with paranormal romance here that works well. Price is quickly becoming a favorite author of mine as her tales tend to be thoughtful with some intriguing characters. And I find her short stories particularly fascinating as she manages to pack a lot of plot into her tales.

"Demo Day" by Clare London fits the bill for madcap British comedy. London does comedy well and this unusual pairing of Marcus and Pip is no exception. Funny supporting characters abound in this one as Marcus and Pip navigate the first bloom of attraction and try to decide if there's more to be had.

"Gay Nineties at the Pick and Grab" by Dev Bentham was a pleasant surprise for me as I'm not very familiar with her work, but the story makes for a pleasant and funny tale as Seth and Dakota find themselves flirting during a social gathering that isn't quite what Seth expects. There are some wistful side stories and interesting supporting characters here as well.

"Lost In" by Kim Fielding may be my favorite story of the bunch as I found it surprisingly moving. The story of Joe and Han's meeting has a few twists (which aren't completely unexpected) but it turns into an intriguing meditation on the choices we make in life and the effort it takes to break free.

It's probably no surprise that I ended up enjoying this collection as Price, London, and Fielding have been among my favorite authors for a while now. Add in the contribution by Bentham and we have an assembly of tales that is entertaining, with plots that aren't necessarily new but are elevated by some strong and clever writing.

[... · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars, rounded up, for the anthology as a whole. As (almost) always, it was slightly annoying that there were no blurbs or story descriptions before individual stories, but each one was a totally enjoyable little snack, so I'm over it, ok??? 🤣

Here are my individual star ratings, in the order that I read them:


👍 LOST IN by Kim Fielding ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
5 STARS, and the reason I grabbed this little anthology, since I generally love this author's work. For some reason, it surprised me to find that this one had a bit of a supernatural bent. I don't know why... maybe because grocery stores are so mundane? 🤣🤣🤣 But while I caught on to where it was going from the start and there wasn't really anything surprising about the journey, nor any heat to speak of, it was still a lovely ride that actually made me tear up when Joe met... Johann. Probably because I'm a big 'ol sap 🥰

👍 THE PRICE OF HAPPINESS by Jordan Castillo Price ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
5 STARS because it was another feel-good read that made me smile. This author has been really hit and miss for me to the point that I generally shy away from their books now - I know they're really well-loved, their style just isn't for me - but this one was lovely, and therefore, as it deserved, I loved it. 😊

👍 DEMO DAY by Clare London Price ⭐⭐⭐⭐
4 STARS, and just the right length for the little slice-of-life meet-cute between these two. Another sweet little snack I very much enjoyed (especially because I really needed a breather from the longer, more intense series I've been reading).

👍 GAY NINETIES NIGHT AT THE PICK AND GRAB by Dev Bentham Price ⭐⭐⭐⭐
4 STARS, and a new-to-me author. This was a quirky one, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. 😊 I would definitely read more by this author in the future!

[Jean Malherbe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Check Me Out anthology.

1. THE PRICE OF HAPPINESS

Four stars
A delightful insta-attraction story with magical elements, one intimate scene and happily ever after. Loved this one!
By far my favourite from this little anthology.
......
2. DEMO DAY

Three stars.
This is a wonderfully relatable story, told in the typical down to earth/call a spade a spade manner of Clare London. There are delightfully giggle inducing moments and scenarios, set in an environment that is oh so familiar to one and all.
Highly recommend this author. Loved the story.
......
3. GAY NINETIES

Three stars

Cute little story about a handful of meet cutes for the elderly.
Worth the quick read, but nothing to get excited about.
.......
4. LOST IN

Three and a half stars.

A slightly bizarre story, this one, which smacks of the paranormal, time travel and a pinch of reincarnation.
As always, with this author, the story flows smoothly and quickly and manages to keep you engaged. Always wondering which direction the events will take you.
However, towards the end of the story, I found myself a bit confused as to what was actually going on at all.
Still, I love Kim Fielding's unusual short stories and would never hesitate to recommend them. This one is no exception.
.....
DISCLAIMER
I volunteered to read an advance copy of this anthology. I volunteered to review without obligation.

[Cheryl_cajun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks for the ARC, I voluntarily give it an honest review.
THE PRICE OF HAPPINESS by Jordan Castillo Prince
Angus and Newton chance at happiness all involved a lucky break. With a magical windblown bill and a mystery can. Only the two couldn't be more opposed, could I work..

DEMO DAY by Clare London
Was the universe just out to get the small grocery store or was it all down to Pips.
Pips was just a total bundle of sass with no off switch, especially when a man with the bluest eyes catches his attention. Marcus was a sweetheart, even when the world around him has gone bizarre, he only seen Pips.

LOST IN by Kim Fielding
Joe and Han was so heartbreakingly beautifully. One is so lost and confused while the other is the helpful hand leading the other in the right direction. Only hitting a bump along the way to falling instantly.


GAY NINETIES NIGHT AT THE PICK AND GRAB by Dev Bentham
Homebody is just the thing that Seth desires no need for more until peerpessured into throwing th dice on chance. And what better chance then dealing with two things at once, like a meet and greet at the local grocery shop of all places.. Seth has a back bond but talk about a second hand embrasment!
Dakota was intrigued by the self proclaimed D&D nerd that marked his swagger buttie right into 90's night.


Over all these a just a feel good short read that these great authors bring into the crazy love, that starts off like a mix between Hallmark/Met-cute at the supermarket's

[Shelley Chastagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Price of Happiness by Jordan Castillo Price
I love Jordan's writing. Angus seems like a conundrum with his blue hair, tattoos, and rock band persona, alongside his contemplation of deep philosophical questions and insight into other people. Newton seems meticulous and controlled with his life planned out. When fate steps in he's willing to take a chance and together Angus and Newton find happiness.

Demo Day by Clare London
Poor Pips has had more than his share of bad luck. I got the impression that his normal state is sunny with a positive outlook but life has beaten him enough that we see snark and self-doubt. Marcus obviously sees the sparkle through the gloom though. The little family of Your Better Buyz store worked to make sure that they pushed these two together.

Gay Nineties Night at the Pick and Grab by Dev Bentham
Seth's attempt to meet other gay men ends up not quite as he anticipates. I liked Seth's awkwardness. Dakota just made me smile. He is happy to help the seniors who show up find exactly what they're looking for. Finding Seth is more than he expects. My favorite part of the story was seeing how Seth and Dakota manage to get Michael and Juan back together again.

Lost In by Kim Fielding
I was a bit confused at the start of Lost In. It didn't feel like a Kim Fielding book to me until I got about ten pages in. I LOVE Kim Fielding's writing style and this one took me by surprise. Joe had my heart from the beginning. His exhaustion and confusion are tangible. Han is there every time Joe needs him. Their connection builds as Joe wanders the market in his quest for dental floss. The ending is everything I'd hoped for.

Highly recommended authors

[Guardian.angel54 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm going out on a limb here but this was one of the best anthologies I've read in ages! It probably has to do with the fact that I spent years in grocery management, but I completely connected with each of the stories in this collection and was totally sucked in from the beginning.
From "mystery" items (The Price of Happiness by Jordan Castillo Price) to the dreaded "demo days" (Demo Day by Clare London); from theme nights (thankfully I never had to experience these - Gay Nineties at the Pick and Grab by Dev Bentham) to the existential dread of the afterlife being just a neverending grocery store (Lost In by Kim Fielding), the authors each delivered something new and unique and utterly amazing! Honestly, I "felt" each short's "story" within the theme and that's kind of magical. I can't really pick a favorite but if I had to, I'd probably say the first story by Jordan Castillo Price - The Price of Happiness - really resonated with me. Anyone who's ever worked retail has probably experienced the dreaded "mystery" item - with no price and no idea what department it belongs to - at least once. Add in the romantic elements and this is a group of stories that just has to be experienced, not explained.
Absolutely worth all the stars 5/5*, and I highly recommend this real jewel of a book. I can guarantee you'll probably find at least one tale here that you can personally relate to. I did with all four!

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars
I love Anthologies as they’re a great way of discovering new authors, and this one was terrific. All the stories are set around supermarkets, and have a touch of opposites attract and meet-cute about them, but from there, they are all very different.
Story 1 - The Price of Happiness by Jordan Castillo Price has Angus, a musician and Newton, a broke college student meeting over a mystery, marked down tin, labelled Happiness. With its touch of magic, this was a cute story about the start of their relationship.
Story 2 - Demo Day by Clare London is about adorable food demonstrator Pip and new employee Marcus, and all the things that can go wrong when doing a demo. It was a sweet and fun story that was the pick of the group for me.
Story 3 - Gay Nineties Night At The Pick & Grab by Dev Bentham is about nerdy Seth, and store manager Dakota, and has them meeting due to a misunderstanding, and bonding over helping some lovely side characters. This made for a very enjoyable story that was sweet and fun.
Story 4 - Lost In by Kim Fielding is about Joe who’s lost in a supermarket he’s never been to before, and Han, who's there to help him. It was a sweet and mystical story with a beautiful ending that I loved.
All the stories were terrific reads, and despite their short length, each made me feel as if I knew the main characters and was immersed in their world. Highly recommended.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

These ladies are queens of short fiction. I’ve read JCP, Dev, and Clare before. Haven’t read any short fiction from Kim, though I’ve liked her longer stories. So I thought – I’m probably going to like this book. I was wrong.

I LOVED IT.

I loved the characters, the settings, the romance in the day-to-day, the little touches of magic that these stories convey. From an impoverished college student trying to avoid another meal of lentils finding true love, to a klutzy store demonstrator finding his way in life, to the new guy in town mistaking Gay Nineties night for more gay, less nineties – the first three stories have a little touch of pathos, a dash of humor, a lot of humanity, and a happy ending for everyone. The fourth, Kim’s Lost In, is a whole other matter. It took me a while to stop being put off by the third person present tense of the narrative, until I finally caught on that it was a legitimate device and there was a good reason she presented the story that way. It’s thought-provoking and, if I’m honest, made me pretty anxious for the characters – but it is incredibly sweet and surprisingly hopeful. I’m so glad I found this little anthology! What a fun idea, and great execution.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love at the Grocery Store?

This is an enjoyable collection of short novellas on finding love – or at least a date – at the grocery store! Each of the four authors takes the idea in a different direction, and each entry is intriguing.

“The Price of Happiness” by Jordan Castillo Price – A mystery can, simply labelled ‘Happiness,’ brings together a tired and lonely worker and a broke graduate student. “Demo Day” by Clare London pairs a bored staff member demonstrating sale items with the new worker who’s come up with the idea for the demos. “Gay Nineties Night…” by Dev Bentham brings us a newcomer looking for community responding to a promotion, thinking he might find other LGBTQ people – only to discover it’s a night for the elderly to meet. Finally, ‘Lost In’ by Kim Fielding has a traveler wandering in a large, strange store, with a persistent clerk offering service repeatedly, with an interesting twist at the end.

[Spunkie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well worth reading!! These are great stories, with an unusual premise.
"The Price of Happiness" by Jordan Castillo Price
Clever; a mystery can of "Happiness", price marked down in a grocery store. The threads of "happiness" & many coincidences continue throughout this story of one day, changing the lives of 2 lonely young men, right up to their surprising HEA.

“Demo Day” by Clare London
LOL!! The (mis)adventures of a reluctant, mouthy, and cute store demonstrator & the handsome man who designed the product demos. They meet, & the story flows from there.

“Gay Nineties Night at the Pick and Grab” by Dev Bentham
Cute story! An "oops" sort of introduction of 2 lonely young men, who assist elderly shoppers with finding love, and how they find it for themselves.

“Lost In” by Kim Fielding
I liked this story. It has a lot of interesting twists, and what seems straightforward is a mystery. Can't say more, might spoil it! Read it for yourself!

I was given this book by the authors & voluntarily reviewed it.

[Kendra T · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun concept for a short story anthology. All 4 stories take place with falling in love in a grocery store.

The Price of Happiness - Jordan Castillo Price
The concept of the can of food was really cool. Angus and Newton were drawn to each other by fate, but I liked how they handled the idea of the can. Fun story idea.

Demo Day - Clare London
Poor Pips with his ability to just say whatever he is thinking. lol He and Marcus were cute together, and I loved their little meeting.

Gay Nineties Night at the Pick and Grab - Dev Bentham
Fun! I loved the idea of the Nineties night, and the cast of characters were awesome.

Lost In - Kim Fielding
This was so great and unexpected. I had guessed what was happening as the story went on, but it was so well written and intriguing with how the story played out. It was different in a great way. This was a great way to round out the anthology.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great anthology from four talented authors. Three are auto-reads for me, and one is new--which means I have books to catch up on!
They each execute the theme of finding love in the supermarket in a unique way; madcap, mysterious, meaningful, and a little melancholy. There are no missteps from this quartet. We are immediately drawn into the characters' lives and worlds, we care about the supporting cast, and every story offers joy.
Clare London always hits on all cylinders with her short stories, and Demo Day is no exception. The screwball comedy is balanced by the sincere caring Pips and Marcus demonstrate, and I love any story where the main character(s) find their way to the place they fit.
I highly recommend this volume.

[Susana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love can find you anywhere, even checking the aisles of your very next grocery store….
These four stories talk about finding love in a most unexpected place, whether it comes in the form of a mysterious can full of happiness, or takes the shape of a demo day doomed to disaster, the supermarket becomes the place where a date night where elderly people are not the only ones who can find their better part, or a transition place where to find a second chance at love and life.
They are four very different stories, each one of them charming in its own way. Very readable and entertaining, it will sure leave you with a big, goofy smile on your face
I received an ARC and this is my voluntary review

[Julian White · Rating 4 out of 5]

On Kobo; 147 pages

The Price of Happiness - Jordan Castillo Price Nerdy mathematician and musician bond over a
September 6 - 6 reduced tin of something in with an unreadable
label

Demo Day - Clare London Hopeless employee and a head office trainee
September 8 - 9 click when the latter views the former at work

Gay Nineties at the Pick and Grab - Dev Bentham Dating night for seniors (historical naming
September 9 - 9 reference, not a sexuality signal)

Lost In - Kim Fielding Confused shopper finds an unlikely 24-hour
September 11 - 11 supermarket

Four stories exploring the 'supermarket pick-up' idea. All different, two with a supernatural flavour.

[Mira · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Prince of Happiness by Jordan Castillo Price
3 Stars
A cute read that I think would have been a little better if it was longer. Overall I liked it though. It was a clever storyline packed into a very short read.

Demo Day by Clare London
2 Stars
For some reasons this did not engage me at all. For such a short story, I couldn’t be bothered to finish it.

Gay Nineties Night at the Pick and Grab by Dev Bentham
2.5 Stars
The concept was cute but I think the multiple couples was a distraction for such a short read. I had a very hard time keeping track of the two MCs they felt so similar.

Lost In by Kim Fielding
0 Stars
Didn’t read because I hate stories written in present tense. It’s not clever or interesting, it’s annoying.

[SNik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Multi-author anthology with meet cutes at the grocery store/market. Mostly dual POV with one single POV (Lost In). There are bits of paranormal in a couple of stories, with a couple of opposites attract.

This is a fun anthology that you can pick up and read one story at a time in between other things to add a little romance and cuteness to your day. It seems that an ordinary place can bring some people together and form special relationships. Each story gave a good amount of background for the characters, and they all had individual personalities and sweet partners to complement them, with a little bit of spice which makes going to the grocery store much more interesting. 4.5 rounded up

[Ellie Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Four delicious (mainly) contemporary stories from four different authors with one thing in common; their couples find romance in a supermarket! This collection consists of wonderful stories from two of my favourite writers (The Price of Happiness by Jordan Castillo Price and Demo Day) plus charming tales from authors new to me (Lost In by Kim Fielding and Gay Nineties Night at the Pick and Grab by Dev Bentham).

Each author puts their individual take on the theme, which makes Check Me out a truly fresh and enjoyable read.

[C.B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shopping, will never be the same for me. Excellent collection, I do wish they were longer. The characters were fun and sweet and the supporting characters were funny. The pace was great for short stories and the characters backgrounds were good even though the stories were short. My favorite is Newton in The Price of Happiness. Great stories, funny stories, sweet stories, heartfelt stories. This is a good blending of authors and I hope the stories can expand more. Nice cover art! Nicely done. I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.