Static/Cling

Subparheroes #8

by Jaime Samms

Best friends Bjorn and Leif help each other out. Whether it’s blowing off some steam in bed (as friends do), or helping each other find a new job, they’ve always been there for eachother. So when Leif points out an ad for a janitor team at SPAM it’s a perfect fit.

Bjorn will be able to work where his strange ability to gather static electricity won’t be a problem, and Leif will still be by his side to make sure nothing bad happens.

Turns out, Bjorn should have read the fine print.

Working at SPAM is like no other job they’ve ever had, and then there is Kassian. Tacitern. Unfriendly. Half computer geek, half muscle-head, he’s way more appealing than he has any right to be, and maybe the spark between them they’ve often looked for but never found.

But Kassian the computer geek is clear. He doesn’t need any more friends, and he doesn’t need a lover, never mind two. Kassian the muscle head has a different take on the idea.

When they have to track down a missing computer file and stop a madman from ruining the lives of everyone at SPAM, it’ll take the whole team, a multi-layered plan, and no small amount of luck to succeed.

It will also take the three of them combining their skills to stay alive and save, not just the day, but each other.

Static/Cling is a part of the multi-author Subpar Superheroes MM romance series.

Genres: Romance, Fantasy, M M Romance, Paranormal

226 pages, Paperback

Published July 30, 2024

About the author

Jaime Samms is a plaid-hearted Canadian who spends the too-long winters writing stories about love between men and the too-short summers digging in the garden. There are dust bunnies in the corners of her house—which she blames on a husky named Kai. There are dishes on the counter—which is clearly because teenagers! There is hot coffee in the pot and the occasional meal to keep her from starving—because her husband is remarkable and patient.

A multi-published author whose work has been translated into French, Italian, and German, Jaime delights in the intricate dance of words that leads her through tales of the lost and broken hearted men she writes about to the love stories that find and mend them.

And when the muse is being stubborn, she also makes pretty things with yarn and fabric scraps because in her world, no heart is too broken to love, and nothing is too worn or tired it can’t be upcycled into something beautiful. All it takes is determination and the ability to see life a little bit left of center.

Reviews

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

They never use the term, but the "best friends" are definitely polyamorous, and have the polyam mantra 'communication, communication, communication' down cold. They were great! And their shared interest in their new co-worker, also great if off to a rocky start, because bad things must be stopped. This was fun story, tense and kind of creepy here and there, and I'm really glad I gave it a try. The only issue is that it cries out for a better edit pass for some clarity because there are too many males and not enough names in some key moments. But I read for characters, and I am well pleased.

[Natalie H · Rating 3 out of 5]

December 2024
Kindle edition

Picked up for the MMM. Less focused on the romance and more on the mission. Bjorn and Leif were already an established couple or at least package deal. Interesting characters. April was pretty handsoff. Didn't like the earlier thing that kept popping up. It was alright.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Static/Cling has terrific characters, interesting storylines, and the potential for additional novels…

Rating: 4🌈

Static/Cling by Jaime Samms is another in the Subpar Heroes multi-author series about a group of people who have specific abilities that have been deemed just not “super” enough for high level status. They’re subpar heroes or heroes whose abilities are diminished in some respects.

Samms story involves a group of characters, first a pair of friends/lovers that eventually ends up as a triad when they find the third that completes them. Along the way, a team of like minded and powered characters is formed, there’s a scary mission to undertake, and an evil villain to be foiled.

Static/Cling has terrific characters, interesting storylines, and the potential for additional novels, packed as it is with loose ends and underdeveloped plot lines and character elements.

I really enjoyed it.

Characters like Bjorn Bielke, “electricity runs through my body” and Leif, his best friend/lover and personal current discharge unit, who end up working for SPAM (the superhero agency) where all the rest of their future team is working, are great in their respective roles. Also fascinating, if not equally well developed, is Kassian, IT SPAM specialist, but he’s more. What exactly is not delved into.

The developing Bjorn/Leif/Kassian romance is interesting in how the author pulls it off and it makes sense for all the people involved. This could have taken up more of the plot, especially since Leif and Kassian each need more narrative development than is given towards the end.

Sal, Robert (two more intriguing members of this found family) as well as actual family members, contribute to a action packed, emotionally driven story.

Only the fact that Samms had left unexplored or unresolved some major plot lines at the end of the story did I feel unsatisfied with the finish and HFN given to the characters.

Perhaps, like other writers, Samms intends to revisit this universe. At any rate, if you are enjoying the series and are a fan of the author, I recommend reading Static/Cling (Subpar Heroes story) by Jaime Samms. It’s very entertaining.

Subpar Heroes series- 15 books:
🔷The Accidental Necromancer by Liv Rancourt
🔷Behind the 8-Ball by A. E. Wasp
🔷Transparent Is a Color by Kaje Harper❤️
🔷Impossible Things by Alexa Land
🔷My Not-So-Super Blind Date by Allison Temple ❤️❤️
🔷An Ex-Hero's Guide to Axe Handling by Jenn Burke ❤️❤️
🔷In The Nick of Time by Elle Keaton
🔷Static/Cling by Jaimie Samms
🔷Spiritual Guidance Not Required by Jacy Braegan 8/1/2024
🔷What Could Go Wrong? By Toshi Drake 8/6/2024
🔷License to Chill by Chantal Mer 8/8/2024
🔷Code Name Dolittle by Lynn Michaels. 8/22/2024
🔷Signed, I’m Yours! By Rhys Lawless 8/29/2024
🔷A Taste of Danger by Morgan Brice. 9/5/2024

[Kendra Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What happens when you mistakenly think you applied for a janitors job only to find that you should've read the fine print? Well Bjorn is wondering that every day. What can he do at this new job when everything he touches blows? Well at least he has his BF Leif with him and maybe he'll have someone else if he just lets himself.

Leif goes wherever his BF Bjorn goes. He has to help him blow off some of his excess electricity so that he doesn't hurt someone. He fits into their new job better than Bjorn but he'll go up against anyone who disrespects Bjorn.

Kassian is a computer programmer inside a muscle bound body. People only tend to see the body and think he's dumb. They don't take the time to get to know him and find out he's really smart. While he's trying to find a computer file, with hundreds of heroes information on it, he gets dragged into a situation that could end badly for the whole team.

The team starts off with Sal, Roger, Kassian, Alice and then Leif and Bjorn join up. When they go on a mission to find the missing computer file they have a plan with many back-up plans as contingencies. Things don't go as planned but they adapt and change the plan accordingly. They end up adding more heroes to the team as they go along. Nash the Husky comes into the group to help them infiltrate where they need to be. He is a typical Husky and fits into the group well. When he's asked to help out he doesn't exactly go along with the plan but it ends up being okay. There are some paranormal anomalies going on that throws the mission into chaos. Everyone learns and grows on this first mission together. They become stronger together. They realize that in a short time they have become a family as well as a team. Leif stops fighting and lets Bjorn in and they both make room for Kassian.

I really liked this story. It's a fantasy/paranormal/romance with a slow, progressive build-up that wasn't boring at all. It has some good character and world building; although, it could've had a little more. This is a sweet heroes story that also had funny moments, drama moments and some mystery thrown in as well. The heroes come out on top and the MCs have a happy ending. I definitely recommend this book.

[Golden Child · Rating 3 out of 5]

Leif & Bjorn & Kassian

3.5 stars. This book started off a bit rocky for me, I had a hard time figuring out who was speaking and the anger from the characters was sometimes confusing. I also never fully got a grip on the powers each had except for Bjorn’s. Once the action started, the story flowed, although still a bit confusing with all extra storylines thrown in. I enjoyed how these three and how the team ended up working together to take down a non-army facility bent on doing bad things to innocent people. I hung in there and ended up liking the book. I’m enjoying this series.

[Annie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite in the multi-author series. It's definitely a HFN ending, not a HEA. The throuple is left on uneven ground, with one partner not yet fully integrated into the relationship. Because of that, I think that it would have been better if the author either took the time to develop that more, had the one couple with maybe an aromantic friend who becomes a closer friend, or just skipped the third partner all together. It definitely contributed to the rushed feeling of the book.
Still, I will probably reread it when I decide to go back through the series.

[MacTíre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story! This is the second book in this series that I like. (That first book was Transparent Is a Color by Kaje Harper.) The story starts a bit chaotic, which is never a good sign with an inexperienced author. But with a quality author, that's a reason to be happy; it means we have much to explore. Fortunately, this is the latter case. I will definitely find other books by this author, because nowadays heroes with more than one idea in their head are quite rare, and I'm not talking about well-developed characters and a great story arc.

[Lee Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Static/Cling

This was a fantastic story about minor powers and how to maximize their usage. Bjorn collects static electricity just by being alive. Not understanding what it’s good for, he has a best friend to help him navigate through his life. There were so many secrets in this book! The characters were perfect and the storyline was amazing! I really enjoyed reading this book! Highly Recommended

[Glenn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was enticed by some of the magic and fantasy indicated in the description of this book.
However, I always felt I had missed a description of something and I was left out of the loop in the story. I could not resolve the true love between the "Subpar Hero" and his companion, his best friend, whom he depended on for some basic tasks.

But this feeling of missing info, and even their languishing in trying to accommodate his special power. This just not for me.

[Hermien van Staden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommended

I loved this book - the characters are complex and interesting. The plot line was unpredictable and so suspenseful that it kept me up reading all night.
I really hope Jaime Samms expands this book into a series, because these intriguing characters deserve their own books.

[Elizabeth D]

DNF@40%. I just couldn’t get into this. I feel like I was dropped in the middle without a manual. I don’t feel like I’ve gotten to know any of the main characters (or the side characters), I don’t particularly like anyone, Bjorn and Lief’s relationship doesn’t seem happy to me, and I don’t know what anyone can do. Maybe if I could stick it out, I’d learn more, but I’m just not invested.

[Raven and Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my sweet Jesus. Bjorn is a big teddy bear cinnamon roll with shocking powers that he can barely control. I adore him! 🥰 He and Lief ar so much more than just best friends and roommates but they can’t admit it. Oh the cluelessness. And don’t get me started on Kass. The three of them make a very quirky but well matched trio. Once they can get past their initial assumptions that is. I have enjoyed all the books in this series so far. This one made a very good addition to the list.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unique abilities

This was an interesting addition to the series. I enjoyed all of the unique abilities each character had. The plot was engaging and held my attention from the start. There were also a few surprise plot twists that I didn't see coming.

[Kirstine Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absurd and funny tale about a handful of almost-superheroes and the good they can do. Plus a couple of mental hitchhikers, and a very eager husky. Oh, and 3 guys trying to find out if they can be lovers.

This was very enjoyable, and I'm sad there won't be more books about the SPAM agency.

[Iojita Gabriela · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oh my god, so freaking confusing, I couldn't even finish it. It did nothing but irritate me. How the heck do these kind of books get published? That question drives me crazy. Too bad I can't give it half a star. It doesn't even deserve one full star. Ugh.

[Teresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was just ok.

This book left me feeling conflicted. It had some good moments, but also some very bizarre ones. I’m not sure I really got the relationship dynamics and everything, from the team, their powers, and the mission, felt very vague.

[Brei-ayn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Static/Cling and struggled to put it down. The story is amazing and I enjoyed reading Bjorn, Leif and Kassian's story.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Static/Cling by Jaime Samms is part of the Subpar Heroes multi author series. Bjorn thought he was hired  to be a janitor but when he arrives at his new job he finds It's anything but a janitor's job. With Bjorns power static electricity he needs to be careful not to short out electrical items . Leif, Bjorn’ best friend, who keeps him grounded and then if you  throw in the cute IT guy Kassian who is grumpy yet adorable and who both Bjorn and Leif need to be complete. I really loved this story of regular people trying to keep others like them low-level powers safe from being exploited and outed against their will. I enjoyed the characters and world building Jaime brings in her books where I couldn't put it down with anticipation of what would happen next.